. « 


I " 


f: 


T 


« 


■ -t 


HISTOEY 


or  THB 

PONTIFICATE  AND  CAPTIVITY 

PIUS  THK  SIXTH. 

TOGFrraER  WITH  A 

GLAXCE  AT  THE  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

from  tie  Jf.tntt) 

BT 

MISS  K***TH,  A GRADUATE  OP  ST.  JOSEPH’S, 

NEAR  EMMITT8BURG,  MD. 

NEW  EDITION  EEVISED  & CORRECTED 

Nifo  gork: 

P.  O’SHEA,  27  BARCLAY  STREET. 


BOSTON  COLLEGE  LIBEAR^ 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 


J3t8 

H Ma, 


20578 


lO  fflE 


YOUNG  LADIES  OE  ST.  JOSEPH’S, 

NIAB  BMMITTSBUBO.  MD., 


HlittU  'Folumt 


18  BESPSCTrVLLT  DEDIOATBD 


VT  THE  TRANSLATOR. 


^ V;  . 

. w *>!'  , -^V^’  ‘ - ' . r .jo  _ -Zi:= 

:.::r.n-  '1  •'■  '^  ^%<r 

■'.  i sM.  . !!5liv"  .V  ,-■-.  " , . » 

7 <•  t '. 

• •'■  V ••;  . , • . - ■ 

•Vj  U%i.:  ' ■'  ' 


PONTIFICATE  AND  CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VL 


L 

Clement  XIY.,  having  just  died  the 
conclave  convened  on  the  5th  of  October, 
1774,  to  proceed  to  the  election  of  a new 
Pope.  The  circumstances  were  most  serious. 
The  ship  of  Peter  was  about  to  be  agitated 
by  violent  tempests,  and  Providence  permit- 
ted that  the  care  of  the  imperishable  ark 
should  be  confided  to  the  wise  and  skillful 
Cardinal  Braschi,  who,  at  the  last  balloting, 
received  the  unanimous  vote — Feb.  14,  1775. 

He  assumed  the  name  of  Pius  VL  “ Pius 
V.,”  replied  he,  to  those  who  inquired  the 
cause  of  his  preference,  “viras  the  last  Pope  / 
canonized  by  the  Church ; I wish  to  walk  in 
his  footsteps — to  arrive  at  the  same  felicity 
that  he  enjoys.’’ 


6 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


John  Angelo  Braschi  was  born  at  C^sSna, 
in  Eomagna,  a province  in  Italy,  Dec.  27, 
1717,  of  an  ancient,  noble,  but  not  wealthy 
family.  From  extreme  youth  he  had  shown 
most  happy  dispositions.  He  received  his 
education  in  Eome,  and  was  soon  presented 
to  Benedict  XIV.  as  secretary.  This  Pontiff, 
appreciating  the  merit  of  his  young  secretary, 
named  him  Canon  of  St.  Peter’s.  Clement 
XIII.  rendered  equal  justice  to  the  talents 
and  virtue  of  Braschi,  in  calling  him  to  the 
distinguished  situation  of  treasurer  to  the 
apostolic  chamber.  Braschi  for  seven  years 
filled  this  important  post,  distinguished  by 
great  capacity  and  wise  and  exemplary  con- 
duct. 

During  the  year  1773  he  received  the  Car- 
dinal’s hat  from  Clement  XIV.  Two  years 
after  he  was  called  to  the  pontifical  chair. 

On  the  proclamation  of  his  election  in  the 
Pauline  chapel,  he  fell  on  his  knees  and  pro- 
nounced a prayer,  so  touching  that  those 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  7 

.issembled  burst  into  tears.  “Venerable  Fa- 
thers,” said  he,  “your  assembly  has  terminat- 
ed : it  has  resulted  but  in  misfortune  to  me.” 

When  the  news  of  his  election  reached  the 
people,  the}’’  gave  themselves  up  to  transports 
of  joy.  The  public  buildings  were  illumi- 
nated,  and  the  people,  embracing  each  other, 
related  the  good  news.  He  caused  distribu- 
tions of  money  to  be  made  to  the  people,  and 
showed  himself  liberal,  even  to  magnificence. 
The  new  Pontiff  soon  assumed  the  charge 
of  the  government  that  had  been  confided  to 
him — made  himself  acquainted  with  the  dif- 
ferent administrations — surrounded  himself 
with  wise  counsellors,  and  sought  out  merit, 
and  appealed  to  the  talented. 

To  beneficence  he  Joined  firmness.  He 
reprimanded  severely  the  Roman  Governor, 
for  not  having  suppressed  the  disorders  oc- 
casioned by  the  constables.  He  deprived 
Nicholas  Bischi,  prefect  of  the  Annona — a 
council  charged  with  providing  the  supplies 


s 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


for  Eome — of  his  pension.  He  announced 
that  he  should  keep  surveillance  over  all 
branches  of  the  administration,  and  that  he 
would  dispossess  of  their  employment  all 
who  might  abuse  the  trust,  or  who  had  ac 
quired  their  offices  unrightfully. 

He  rose  ordinarily  very  early,  celebrated 
the  holy  mysteries,  and  returned  to  his  cabi- 
net to  transact  business;  breakfasted  temper- 
ately,  gave  public  audience,  and  held  coun 
cils;  thence  to  the  museum,  where  he  con 
versed  familiarly  with  the  resident  artists. 
After  dining  he  returned  to  his  cabinet,  to 
expedite  matters  still  more. 

He  rarely  went  out.  The  “ belle  saison  ” 
he  passed  in  the  Quirinal  Palace,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  year  at  the  Vatican.  The 
only  recreation  that  he  allowed  himself  was 
a yearly  visit  to  the  Pontine  Marshes,  at 
which  place  he  was  having  much  work  exe- 
cuted. Entirely  devoted  to  serious  occupa- 
tion and  the  cares  of  ^tate,  he  disdained  use- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


less  conversations,  and  fled  all  that  might 
distract  him  from  his  august  functions. 

The  first  difficulties  of  his  pontificate  were 
occasioned  by  the  Court  of  Naples,  or  rather 
by  Tannucci,  long  time  minister  of  King 
Ferdinand,  and  who,  imbued  with  the  prin* 
ciples  of  false  philosophy,  sought  every  means 
of  humiliating  the  Holy  See,  and  of  en- 
croaching upon  its  rights.  The  Holy  Father 
was  at  much  trouble  to  put  an  end  to  the 
disastrous  projects  of  this  minister,  and  not 
break  his  relations  with  the  King  of  Naples. 

He  was  less  successful  in  the  disturbances 
with  the  Emperor  of  Austria,  Joseph  IL 
This  prince,  possessed  with  the  mania  of  in- 
novation, without  being  animated  with  a 
spirit  of  impiety,  powerfully  seconded  the 
enemies  of  Christianity  and  the  Holy  See  by 
his  exorbitant  pretensions.  He  possessed 
some  good  and  loveable  qualities,  but  they 
were  tarnished  by  his  excessive  obstinacy, 
and  his  desire  to  regulate  matters  pertaining 


10 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


to  religion  as  if  they  were  subject  to  civil 
a,uthority.  Joseph,  naturally  good,  became  a 
persecutor — provoked  troubles  in  his  states, 
and  perseveringly  saddened  the  heart  of  the 
pious  Pontiff.  He  suppressed  convents,  put 
a stop  to  ordinations,  pronounced  interdicts, 
and  pretended  even  to  decide  on  doctrine. 
Occupying  himself  with  the  most  minute  de- 
tails, he  prescribed  the  order  of  offices,  regu- 
lated ceremonies,  and  the  number  of  masses 
which  should  be  said  in  each  church,  and 
even  the  quantity  of  lights  that  they  should 
consume.  It  was  on  this  occasion  that  King 
Frederick  of  Prussia,  who  had  so  long  favored 
the  principal  propagators  of  these  anti-reli- 
gious ideas,  called  the  Emperor  of  Austria 
his  associate  sacristan. 

Several  prelates  addressed  to  Joseph  II. 
letters  of  remonstrance,  but  they  had  no 
other  tendency  but  to  increase  the  difficulties 
with  Eome.  The  Archbishop  of  Vienna  dis- 
^tinguished  himself  by  his  bold  and  firm 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  11 

measuresfj  but  they  made  no  impression  on 
the  minA  of  the  monarch. 

The  Pope  at  first  tried  paternal  remon- 
strances. The  Emperor  boldly  replied,  “I 
ask  no  advice  on  the  affairs  of  my  state,  re- 
garding my  own  subjects,  and  matters  purely 
temporal.” 

Pius  VL,  seeing  his  first  efforts  fruitless, 
formed  the  extraordinary  determination  of 
visiting  the  Emperor.  He  announced  to  him 
by  a brief,  dated  Dec.  17,  1781,  his  desire  to 
terminate  all  the  differences  between  the 
Holy  See  and  the  empire.  The  following  is 
the  brief,  that  should  honor  the  memory  of 
the  Pontiff : 

To  our  very  dear  son  in  Jesus  Christ,  Joseph,  Ulus 
trious  King  of  Hungary  and  Bohemia,  elected 
King  of  the  Romans — Pope  Pius  VI. 

Our  very  dear  son,  Francis  Herzan,  Cardi- 
nal of  the  Holy  Eoman  Church,  MinistA^x’ 
Plenipotentiary  of  your  Majesty  at  the  Holy 
See,  gave  us,  on  the  9th  of  November  last, 
your  letter  bearing  date  October  6th,  in  which 
you  reply  to  ours  of  the  26th  of  August. 


12 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


On  reading  it  we  were  deeply  afflicted  to 
learn  that  you  had  paid  no  regard  to  our  en- 
treaties, and  have  deprived  the  Holy  See  of 
the  right  which  it  has  enjoyed  from  the  most 
remote  ages,  of  conferring  in  Austrian  Lom- 
bardy with  the  Bishops,  Provosts,  etc. 

“We  do  not  wish,  dear  son,  to  renew  with 
you.  a discussion  which  commenced  in  the 
middle  of  the  Christian  era,  and  after  which, 
peace  having  been  restored  to  the  Church, 
she  entered  into  the  ancient  possession  of  her 
rights  and  discipline,  which  had  been  con- 
firmed by  the  constant  testimony  of  Councils ; 
but  it  is  necessary,  on  account  of  the  affection 
which  we  bear  you,  and  the  trust  which  is 
confided  us,  to  assure  you,  as  an  indubitable 
thing,  that  when  the  Apostles  founded 
churches  and  created  priests  and  bishops, 
they  were  never  suspected  of  wishing  to  en- 
croach on  the  rights  of  civil  and  secular 
powers. 

“The  Church  has  preserved  this  custom, 
whereby  nothing  has  resulted  detrimental 
to  the  rights  of  sovereigns.  As  for  the 
wealth  yvhich  she  holds  by  the  munificence 
of  princes  and  the  piety  of  the  faithful,  your 
Majesty  is  not  ignorant  that  it  has  always 
been  regarded  as  the  patrimony  of  the  poor, 
and  for  this  reason  respected  by  your  ances- 
tors, so  that  in  the  judgment  of  all,  it  is  not 
permitted  to  appropriate  these  goods  to  other 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


13 


purposes  than  those  first  intended.  Your 
glorious  ancestors,  and  especially  your  august 
mother,  acknowledged  these  truths,  at  the 
time  of  the  negotiations  which  took  place  be- 
tween this  glorious  princess  and  Benedict 
XIV.  of  illustrious  memory,  on  the  subject 
of  the  abbeys  situated  in  Lon\bardy : this  is 
a fact  well  known  to  yourself. 

“We  are  anxious  to  treat  with  you,  as  a 
father  with  a son ; but  there  are  many  obsta- 
cles to  this  project.  Our  resolution  is  now 
formed  of  seeing  you  in  your  own  capital. 
We  take  no  note  of  the  length  and  inconve- 
nience of  the  voyage  to  be  undertaken  at  an 
advanced  and  enfeebled  age. 

“We  will  find  strength  in  the  great  and 
only  consolation  of  being  able  to  speak  to 
you,  and  to  declare  our  dispositions  concern- 
ing you,  and  how  anxious  we  are  to  concili- 
ate the  interests  of  your  Imperial  Majesty 
with  those  of  the  Church.  We  earnestly 
entreat  your  Majesty  to  consider  this  journey 
as  a pledge  of  our  personal  attachment,  as 
well  as  a desire  to  maintain  our  union.  We 
ask  of  you  this  favor,  not  for  ourselves  per- 
sonally, but  for  the  common  cause  of  religion, 
over  the  deposit  of  which  we  have  to  watch, 
and  which  it  is  our  duty  to  protect. 

“Given  at  Kome,  December  15,  1781,  in. 
the  7th  year  of  our  pontificate.” 

2 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


, 14 

This  unexpected  resolution  of  going  to 
Vienna  surprised  Europe,  but  did  not  soften 
the  Emperor,  who,  concealing  his  surprise, 
replied  thus : — 

Most  Holy  Father^ 

“Since  yoi\r  Holiness  persists  in  your  re- 
solution of  coming  to  me,  I can  assure  you 
that  you  will  be  received  with  all  the  regard 
and  veneration  due  your  high  dignity.  The 
object  of  this  journey  relates  to  matters 
which  voLir  Holiness  considers  doubtful,  but 
on  which  1 have  decided.  Permit  me  to 
think  that  you  are  taking  useless  trouble. 
In  making  my  resolutions  I am  ruled  only 
by  reason,  equity  and  religion.  Before  de- 
ciding I reflect  for  some  time,  and  listen  to 
the  advice  of  my  councillors.  Once  decided 
I am  firm.  I assure  your  Holiness  I have 
for  your  Majesty  all  the  respect  of  a true  and 
apostolic  Catholic.  In  asking  your  blessing, 
I remain, etc. 

This  letter  did  not  change  the  determina- 
tion of  the  Pontiff.  His  patience  was  proof 
against  all  outrage. 

Some  months  elapsed  between  the  reply 
of  Joseph  II.  and  the  departure  of  Pope  Pius 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


15 


VI.,  and  this  time  was  spent  in  endeavoring 
to  change  his  determination. 

The  ambassadors  of  France  and  Spain 
spared  no  representation  to  produce  this  ef- 
fect. They  first  addressed  to  him  the  follow- 
ing letter : — 

‘‘  Most  Holy  Father^ 

“All  Europe  regards  as  a fable  the  news  of 
your  intended  departure  for  Vienna,  and  this 
manner  of  viewing  it  proves  its  inconveni- 
ence. Your  enemies  will  not  be  able  to  give 
others  council,  and  your  friends  are  in  de- 
spair at  being  unable  to  prevent  the  journey. 
As  a favor,  Most  Holy  Father,  suspend  your 
operations  until  you  learn  the  opinions  of 
the  Courts  of  France  and  Spain,  the  suffrage 
of  which  may  have  some  weight.’^ 

This  letter  was  kindly  received  by  the 
Holy  Father.  He  listened  to  various  counsels, 
and  showed  but  amiability  when  the  opinions 
of  others  conflicted  with  his. 

“ You  see,”  the  Cardinal  Baromeo  said  to 
him  one  day,  “the  Emperor  himself  tells 
you  nothing  can  change  him.  Why,  then, 


16 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


expose  yourself  to  the  fatigues  of  a lengthy 
journey?’’  This  reflection  made  some  im- 
pression on  the  holy  Pontiff.  But  on  the 
other  hand,  he  was  moved  thereto  by  the 
consideration  of  his  word,  given  and  received. 
In  order  to  decide,  he  consulted  seven  Cardi- 
nals. They  gave  their  opinions  separately, 
and  without  the  knowledge  of  each  other. 
All  favored  the  journey.  This  unanimously 
decided  his  Holiness. 

In  vain  the  French  ambassador,  returning 
to  the  charge,  observed  that  his  Holiness  was 
feeble,  and  could  not,  without  exposing  his 
life,  make  this  journey  in  the  winter.  “I  go 
to  Vienna,”  he  replied,  “as  I would  go  to 
martyrdom.  For  the  interest  of  religion  it  is 
our  duty  to  risk  our  life,  and  if  necessary  to 
sacrifice  it.  Would  it  be  permitted  to  aban- 
don, for  a single  instant,  the  vessel  of  the 
Church  during  the  tempest?” 

It  was  in  vain  that  he  was  told  that  the 
Prince  of  Kaunitz,  Premier  of  Joseph  II., 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


17 


' was  strengthened  in  his  incredulity,  and  dis' 
posed  perhaps  for  indecent  raillery  during  the 
journey:  “What  does  it  matter,”  said  he, 
“if  the  minister  does  ridicule  me,  if  I can 
touch  the  heart  of  the  master?  Do  we  not 
know  that  we  should  appear  as  fools  for 
Jesus  Christ  ?” 

The  pious  Pontiff  had  desired  to  travel 
incog.^  under  the  name  of  Bishop  of  St.  John 
of  Lateran,  and  dwell  in  the  castle  of  Schoen- 
brun.  But  the  Emperor,  to  soften  the  harsh- 
ness of  the  refusal  which  he  had  already 
resolved  on,  wished  to  load  him  with  public 
attention  and  exterior  consolations.  He  re- 
quired, consequently,  that  his  Holiness  should 
occupy  a sumptuous  apartment  in  his  palace, 
which  had  been  prepared  for  him.  He  had 
erected  for  him  in  an  oratory  a magnificent 
altar,  on  which  was  placed  a crucifix  of  great 
value,  which,  it  is  said,  belonged  to  Charle- 
magne. 

On  the  26th  February,  1782,  the  Pope  held 


18 


PONTIICATE  AND 


a consistory,  in  which,  among  other  resolu- 
tions, he  confided  the  government,  during 
his  absence,  to  the  Cardinal  Vicar  Colonna. 
He  suppressed  the  bull,  uhi  Papa^  ibi 
so  that  the  conclave  could  assemble 
at  Eome,  if,  owing  to  the  fatigue  of  the  jour- 
ney, he  should  die  beyond  its  walls. 

Cardinal  Pallavicini,  Secretary  of  State, 
whose  health  was  precarious,  was  appointed 
by  the  Pope,  in  a billet  sealed  by  himself,  as 
his  successor. 

It  was  ordered  that  during  the  journey, 
the  most  holy  sacrament  should  be  exposed 
in  the  principal  churches  of  Eome,  and  that 
each  day  at  Mass  the  collect  for  travelers 
should  be  said.  He  caused  two  thousand 
gold  medals  to  be  struck,  representing  on 
one  side  the  Apostles  SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  and 
on  the  other  his  own  bust. 

After  the  care  bestowed  on  the  govern- 
ment and  Church,  the  Holy  Father  thought  it 
his  duty  to  manifest  his  affection  for  his  fa 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  19 

mily.  He  caused  the  Count  of  Braschi,  his 
nephew,  to  come  to  him,  and  gave  him  his 
will,  saying,  ‘‘  Should  I die  during  this  jour- 
ney,  you  will  here  find  my  last  wishes.  Ee- 
member  me  in  your  prayers.  Adieu.”  The 
Duke  was  deeply  moved,  and  the  Pope  turned 
to  hide  the  tears  which  were  falling  from  his 
eyes.  Day  suflEiced  not  for  the  pious  exercises 
of  the  Pontiff.  On  the  26th  of  February,  in 
the  silence  of  night,  he  descended  to  the 
tombs  of  the  Holy  Apostles,  implored  their 
assistance  fervently,  and  celebrated  the  divine 
sacrifice,  with  a piety  which  the  time  and 
place  rendered  still  more  touching. 

The  next  day,  the  27th,  the  Holy  Father 
repaired,  at  an  early  hour,  to  the  chapel  of 
the  Vatican,  and  performed  his  devotions. 
From  thence  he  passed  to  the  Church  of  St. 
Peter,  where  he  heard  Mass,  and  then  re- 
turned to  the  sacristy.  It  was  here  that  he 
received  the  adieux  of  the  Count  and  Count- 
ess du  Nord.  They  there  presented  him 


20 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


with  two  ermined  cloaks,  and  with  moistened 
eyes  wished  him  a happy  journey,  and  ac- 
companied him  to  his  carriage. 

The  Holy  Father  appeared  deeply  sensible 
of  these  delicate  attentions  on  the  part  of  the 
nobles  separated  from  his  communion,  who 
could  not  approve  of  the  injustices  and  rigors 
of  some  of  the  Catholic  Courts  of  Europe. 
He  was  now  departing,  in  order  to  endeavor 
to  mitigate  those  of  one  of  the  first  sover- 
eigns. 

He  ascended  his  carriage,  surrounded  by 
an  immense  crowd.  Nothing  was  heard  but 
sighs  and  regrets.  The  multitude  loudly  im- 
plored his  last  benediction.  The  most  ardent 
wishes,  expressed  by  the  most  flattering  ac- 
clamations, followed  him  through  the  streets 
of  Home,  and  even  to  the  last  station. 

Before  leaving  Eome  he  performed  an  act 
of  devotion,  which  gave  much  edification. 
He  stopped  at  the  gate  of  the  Fathers  of  the 
Oratory  of  Santa  Maria  de  Vallicella,  de 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


21 


scended  from  his  carriage,  invoked  God,  who 
holds  in  his  hands  the  hearts  of  Kings,  and 
went  out  by  the  gate  del  Popolo. 

On  the  third  day  he  arrived  at  Tolentino. 
The  relics  of  St.  Nicholas  here  received  his 
attention  and  homage.  This  route  conducted 
him  to  Our  Lady  of  Loretto’s.  He  here 
added  his  gifts  to  those  with  which  liberal 
piety  had  so  long  enriched  this  magnificent 
and  revered  chapel.  The  crowd  increased : 
prelates  and  dignitaries  came  to  do  him  all 
honor  and  solemnize  his  passage.  His  reti- 
nue consisted  of  twenty-four  persons,  of  three 
six-horse  coaches  and  four  carriages,  in  which 
were  his  master  of  ceremonies,  his  confessor, 
his  physician,  and  other  inmates  of  his  house. 

Arriving  at  Cessna,  his  birth-place,  he 
crossed  a river  famous  in  history.  “ Caesar^ 
it  is  said,’’  said  he,  “passed  the  Eubicon  to 
carry  war  to  Eome ; Pius  YI.  crosses  it  to-  / 
day  to  carry  peace  to  Vienna.” 

At  Ferrara  Pius  YI.  found  one  of  the 


22 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


body-guard  of  the  Emperor,  who  had  just 
arrived  from  Vienna.  He  there  learned  that 
the  response  of  Joseph  to  his  last  brief — re- 
sponse which  he  had  believed  it  useless  to 
await — had  arrived  at  Eome,  and  like  the 
first,  announced  invincible  perseverance. 
The  Holy  Father  remained  firm  in  his  reso- 
lution of  accomplishing  his  journey.  The 
Emperor  evinced  a desire  that  he  should  ac- 
cept of  the  apartments  of  the  late  Queen  of 
Hungary  in  his  palace.  He  observed  that 
decency  and  their  mutual  dignity  seemed  to 
require  it;  they  had  many  subjects  to  treat 
on,  and  it  was  necessary  that  they  should  be 
near  one  another,  so  that  they  might  confer 
with  convenience. 

On  leaving  Ferrara  and  arriving  at  the 
river  Po,  he  found  the  Bucentaur^  a vessel  that 
the  senate  of  Venice  had  prepared  for  him, 
and  an  immense  crowd  which  waited  on  him 
to  the  river’s  edge.  He  was  conducted  in 
this  manner  to  the  isle  of  Chiozza,  where 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  23 

he  was  complimented  by  the  Venetian  pre- 
lates, by  the  Doge  and  senate,  who  repre- 
sented the  procurators  of  St.  Mark,  who  con- 
ducted him  to  the  frontier  of  the  Venetian 
states.  There  he  found  a crowd  of  boats  and 
gondolas,  that  scarcely  left  space  for  the 
richly  decorated  ship  destined  for  himself. 
The  crowd  prostrated  itself,  and  implored 
his  benediction.*  The  neighboring  trees  bent 
under  the  weight  of  the  eagSr  spectators,  and 
the  immense  multitude  shed  tears  of  joy  and 
admiration.  After  a little  repose  taken  at 
Trevisa,  the  Holy  Father  continued  his  route 
and  entered  the  Emperor’s  dominions.  At 
the  first  village  he  encountered  a number  of 
Austrian  Lords,  and  a guard  of  honor  to 
accompany  him. 

At  Laybach  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
finding  the  elder  sister  of  the  Emperor,  the 
Arch-Duchess  Marie  Anne,  whose  piety 
brought  her  from  the  Convent  of  Clagenfeldt 
to  the  feet  of  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


24 

At  Lay  bach,  Marpurg  and  Gratz  in  Styria, 
he.  found  the  same  munificent  manifestations. 
In  the  first  mentioned  of  these  cities,  he 
walked  for  the  space  of  an  hour  between  two 
thick  and  closely  crowded  ranks  of  specta- 
tors. At  Gratz  the  manifestationji  were  still 
more  lively.  The  crowd  surrounded  him  on 
every  side  ; each  one  wished  to  kiss  or  touch 
his  vestments,  which  seemed* to  them  sacred, 
such  was  the  veneration  that  he  inspired. 
Seeing  that  the  authorities  wished  to  disperse 
the  multitude  that  pressed  so  strongly  upon 
him,  he  uttered  these  words,  consecrated  in 
Scripture,  ‘‘Suffer  them  to  approach  me,  and 
repulse  them  not.” 

Pius  VL  neared  the  gates  of  Vienna.  The 
Emperor  and  his  brother  Maximilian  jour- 
neyed several  leagues  from  the  capital  to 
meet  the  Sovereign  Pontiff*.  When  they 
perceived  his  carriage,  they  immediately  de- 
scended. The  Pope  hastened  to  descend  also. 
He  embraced  three  times  the  Emperor,  with 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI  25 

sincere  affection,  and  his  reception  was  not 
the  less  affectionate.  The  eyes  of  both  were 
moistened  with  tears,  which  proved  that  the 
false  system  of  philosophy  had  not  entirely 
extinguished  the  native  goodness  that  the 
Emperor  had  received  from  God. 

He  took  the  Holy  Father  into  his  own  car 
riage.  Their  entry  into  Vienna,  on  tte  22d 
of  March,  had  the  air  of  a triumph.  The  in- 
habitants were  not  slow  in  manifesting  theii 
joy  and  devotion.  They  were  obliged  to 
drive  into  a by-way  in  order  not  to  crush 
the  multitude  that  thronged  the  streets.  The 
Emperor  offered  his  hand  to  assist  His  Holi- 
ness to  descend.  The  ministers  and  the  no 
bility,  who  were  at  the  palace,  received  the 
Pope,  who  then  repaired  to  the  imperial  cha- 
pel, where  he  chaunted  the  “Te  Deum”  in 
thanksgiving  for  the  happy  termination  of 
his  journey. 

It  was  well  known  that  Joseph,  who  joined 
great  qualities  to  great  weakness,  had  been 


26  PONTIFICATE  AND 

the  occasion  of  the  manifestations  which  the 
Pope  had  received  on  the  road.  All  knew 
that  he  was  piqued  by  the  paternal  remon- 
strances which  he  pretended  to  believe  had 
been  made  by  Pius  VI.  to  the  Bishops  who 
published,  with  complaisance  and  precipita- 
tion, his  Imperial  decrees  in  opposition  to  the 
Church.  It  was  also  remarked  that  the  Pope 
found  himself  a prisoner  in  the  apartments 
of  the  late  Queen.  The  apartment  had  seve- 
ral entrances,  all  closed,  with  one  exception, 
and  that  one  guarded.  Joseph  had  given 
orders  that  no  stranger  should  enter,  and 
above  all,  that  no  petitions  should  be  pre 
sented  to  His  Holiness. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  the  Emperor,  fear 
ing,  without  doubt,  that  the  presence  of  the 
Pope  would  animate  the  hearts  of  all,  pub 
lished,  on  the  representation  of  the  clergy,  an 
ordinance  to  prevent  a misunderstanding  of 
his  proceedings  touching  religious  matters. 
It  was  the  same  motive  that  caused  him  to 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  27 

issue  a proclamation,  saying  that  the  Bishops 
of  his  provinces  should  remain  at  home,  and 
not  visit  Vienna  during  the  sojourn  of  His 
Holiness,  without  his  permission,  which  he 
had  probably  decided  to  withhold,  so  that 
when  his  dispositions  became  known,  they 
might  guard  against  any  demand. 

It  was  near  the  paschal  time.  The  Pope 
presided  during  the  ceremonies  of  Holy  Week, 
with  a pomp  that  had  never  before  been  wit- 
nessed in  Vienna.  It  was  from  his  hands 
that  the  Emperor  and  Arch-Duke  received 
their  paschal  communion.  On  the  same  day 
he  went  through  the  ceremony  of  washing 
the  feet  of  twelve  old  men,  whose  united  ages 
equaled  ten  centuries.  On  Easter  Sunday 
he  officiated  in  the  Church  of  St.  Stephen, 
employing  the  greatest  magnificence  in  the 
religious  ceremonies.  The  Viennese  were 
witnesses  of  all  the  pomp  that  could  be  dis- 
played by  the  head  of  Catholicity,  and  be- 
lieved themselves  assisting  at  the  divine  of- 


28 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


flees,  in  the  Church  of  St.  Peter  at  Eome. 
Two  princes — those  of  Schwartzenberk  and 
Arerspaug— laved  his  hands  by  turns.  After 
this  he  delivered  a sermon  in  Latin;  the 
audience  was  charmed  by  his  eloquence  and 
the  unction  that  attended  his  words. 

His  piety,  his  affecting  simplicity,  his 
grandeur,  tempered  by  all  that  was  kind, 
touching  and  gracious,  gained  all  hearts. 

The  lively  sensation  that  the  Holy  Father 
caused  in  Vienna  was  attested  by  ocular  wit- 
nesses, and  also  by  the  reports  of  a Lutheran, 
whose  testimony  in  favor  of  the  Pontiff  can 
not  be  suspected.  ‘‘  The  effect  produced  by 
the  presence  of  the  Pope  in  Vienna,”  writes 
he  to  one  of  his  friends,  “is  prodigious;  and 
I should  not  be  astonished  if  strange  revolu- 
tions should  take  place.  I have  seen  the  Holy 
Pontiff  several  times,  while  giving  benedic- 
tion to  the  people  of  the  Capital.  I am  not 
a Catholic ; I am  not  easily  excited ; but  I 
must  confess  that  this  spectacle  caused  me  to 


BOSTON  COLLEGE  LIBRAixV 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 

CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  29 

shed  tears.  You  can  not  well  conceive  the 
interest  of  the  scene : to  see  fifty  thousand 
men  assembled  in  the  same  place,  and  united 
by  like  sentiments,  bearing  in  their  counte- 
nances the  impress  of  the  devotion,  and  the 
enthusiasm  with  which  they  received  the 
benediction,  which  seemed  to  promise  them 
prosperity  in  this  life  and  happiness  in  the 
next!  They  heeded  not  the  inconvenience 
of  their  situations,  surrounded  on  all  sides, 
and  scarcely  able  to  breathe ; they  only  saw 
the  head  of  the  Church  Catholic,  in  all  his 
pomp,  the  tiara  on  his  head,  dressed  in  his 
pontifical  vestments — sacred  to  them,  magni- 
ficent to  all — surrounded  by  cardinals,  who 
had  come  to  Vienna,  and  the  dignitaries  of 
the  Church.  The  Pontiff,  his  head  inclined, 
raised  his  arms  towards  heaven,  in  the  attitude 
of  a man  deeply  persuaded  that  he  had  the 
kind  wishes  of  the  multitude,  his  countenance 
expressing  his  ardent  desire  to  bless  and  ex- 
orcise them.  To  see  these  functions  performed 


80 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


by  an  old  man  of  majestic  height,  physiog- 
nomy the  most  noble  and  pleasing — to  wit- 
ness the  lively  emotion  of  the  inhabitants,  as 
they  precipitated  themselves  on  their  knees, 
at  the  moment  when  the  benediction  was 
given — to  see  them  receive  the  blessing  with 
the  same  enthusiasm  as  it  was  given!  For 
myself,  I cor.fess  that  I shall  ever  retain  the 
impression.” 

It  required  all  the  attention  of  the  police 
to  prevent  accidents,  which  are  only  too  com- 
mon in  these  assemblages.  Their  eagerness 
to  follow  His  Holiness  while  in  Vienna  can 
not  be  expressed.  The  course  of  the  Danube 
was  obstructed  by  the  numerous  boats  that 
ascended  and  descended  with  the  faithful  that 
j crowded  to  see  the  Holy  Father.  They 
thronged  all  the  streets  surrounding  the 
residence  of  the  Emperor  for  miles,  and 
loudly  demanded  the  benediction  of  the  Pope. 
Every  passage  was  intercepted,  and  seven 
J times  a day  was  Pius  VI.  obliged  to  grant  to 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


81 


the  impatient  crowd  the  blessing  which  they 
implored  with  so  much  ardor.  Scarcely  had 
they  received  it,  when  they  were  replaced  by 
a multitude  equally  compact,  that  aspired  to 
the  same  satisfaction.  Prodigality  was  car- 
ried to  such  an  extent,  that  it  was  feared 
Vienna  would  soon  need  supplies. 

Notwithstanding  these  universal  marks  of  ^ 
respect,  nothing  could  console  the  Pope  for 
the  non-success  of  his  mission.  None  of  the 
great  matters  which  had  moved  him  were 
thoroughly  treated  of  in  his  conversations 
with  the  Emperor.  He  had  in  the  cabinet  of 
this  prince  but  one  single  conference,  at  which 
the  minister  Kaunitz,  the  Cardinal,  Arch- 
bishop of  Vienna,  and  the  Cardinal  Herzan, 
minister  of  the  Emperor  to  Eome,  assisted. 
The  Pope  endeavored  to  move  his  Imperial 
Majesty  by  pathetic  discourses,  intermixed 
with  reasons  drawn  from  the  holy  doctrines 
of  the  Church,  and  its  immemorial  practices. 

The  Emperor  eluded  the  discussions,  by 


82 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


saying  that  he  was  no  theologian — that  ho 
knew  too  little  of  canon  law  to  treat  of  it 
orally.  He  demanded  the  reason  why  the 
Pope  had  not  made  his  representations  in 
writing : “ I should  then  have  referred  them 
to  my  theologians  for  examination.  You 
know  already  my  resolutions  relative  to  the 
churches  and  convents  in  my  dominions. 
All  that  I have  done,  as  well  as  all  that  I 
shall  do,  has  had  for  its  end  the  good  of  my 
subjects.”  . . “ These  arrangements  were  indis- 
pensable. I maintain  them  with  more  per- 
severance, as  there  is  not  the  slightest  flaw  in 
the  doctrine.  If  your  Holiness  wishes  a more 
extended  explanation,  and  will  commit  your 
objections  to  writing,  my  Chancellor  shall 
reply,  and  I will  cause  the  discussion  to  be 
printed  for  the  instruction  of  my  subjects. 

The  Chancellor  was  the  Prince  of  Kaunitz, 
not  less  hostile  and  self-willed,  perhaps,  than 
the  Emperor  himself.  The  Pope  could  ob- 
tain but  cold  and  insignificant  replies.  This 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  33 

minister,  proud  of  the  difference  existing  be- 
tween his  royal  master  and  the  Pope,  did  not 
■ even  accord  to  His  Holiness  the  exterior 
marks  of  respect  commanded  by  his  position. 
He  pushed  his  incivility  so  far,  as  to  abstain 
from  paying  the  Pope  the  first  visit. 

Pius  VI.,  who  feared  to  hazard  sacred  in- 
terests, paid  no  attention  to  the  want  of  re- 
spect shown  him  by  Kaunitz,  but  inquired 
of  him  when  he  could  see  and  admire  his 
beautiful  collection  of  pictures.  The  day 
was  named.  The  Pope  found  the  family  of 
the  minister  in  their  richest  attire : his  ser- 
vants' decked  in  their  most  brilliant  livery — 
his  mansion  surrounded  by  a crowd  who 
came  to  meet  and  render  to  him  the  honors 
due  his  personal  character,  also  to  the  head 
of  the  Church  and  sovereign  of  a great  state. 
The  minister,  alone,  appeared  negligently 
clothed  in  his  robe  de  chambre^  and  with  an 
extremely  familiar  air. 

The  Pope  extended  his  hand.  Instead  of 


84 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


kissing  it  according  to  custom,  the  minister 
placed  it  familiarly  in  his  own,  to  the  great 
scandal  of  all  the  spectators.  Then,  by  an 
affectation  of  courtesy,  which  contrasted 
strongly  with  his  gross  familiarity,  he  affect- 
ed to  act  the  cicerone  for  the  explanation  of 
his  pictures.  But  incivility  was  coupled  with 
this  act  of  seeming  politeness.  He  with  pre- 
cipitancy advanced  before  the  Holy  Father, 
causing  him  to  recede,  or  turn  to  the  right 
or  left,  the  better  to  view  the  picture.  The 
Pope,  on  this  occasion,  showed  himself  far 
superior  to  the  cynical  philosopher.  He  ap- 
peared to  take  no  notice  of  the  scene  so  re- 
volting to  the  spectators. 

The  minister  was  less  favorably  disposed 
towards  the  Pope,  and  was  not  even  honest 
in  his  regard.  He  eluded  all  his  overtures. 
The  Emperor,  more  polite,  more  frank,  more 
affectionate  than  his  chancellor,  was  not 
less  inflexible.  In  the  most  minute  matters, 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  o5 

he  clung  with  the  greatest  tenacity  to  his 
false  maxims. 

In  the  month  of  April,  the  Pope  learned 
that  important  and  unforeseen  events  rendered 
it  necessary  that  he  should  return  to  his  king- 
dom. With  much  regret  he  made  prepara- 
tions for  his  departure,  as  the  object  of  his 
journey  was  not  attained.  One  of  the  minis- 
ters inquired  what  day  he  had  fixed  for  his 
departure ? “I  am  Pope,”  replied  Pius  VI., 
“but  not  Prophet:  my  departure  depends  on 
the  issue  of  my  negotiations.”  The  Emperor, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  departure,  wished  to 
appear  extremely  munificent.  He  presented 
the  Holy  Father  a pectoral,  enriched  with 
diamonds  valued  at  four  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  livres.  Pius  VL,  always  great, 
always  worthy  of  himself,  replied,  in  accept- 
ing it,  “I  shall  not  regard  this  as  personal 
property,  but  as  property  of  the  Holy  See : ^ 
it  shall  always  remain  attached  to  it,  so  that 


86 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


my  successors  can  use  it  during  great  solem- 
nities, as  a pledge  of  the  Imperial  benevo- 
lence.” 

The  last  act  of  Joseph  was  to  remit,  by  the 
Vice  Chancellor,  a diploma,  which  elevated 
the  nephew  of  His  Holiness  to  the  eminent 
dignity  of  Prince  of  the  Holy  Empire,  ex- 
empting him  from  the  usual  taxes.  Pius  VI. 
under  these  circumstances,  gave  an  instance 
of  the  moderation  and  honor  that  character- 
ized him.  He  returned  the  diploma  to  the 
Emperor,  asking  him  to  reserve  the  favor  till 
a happier  time,  saying,  “ I do  not  wish  any 
one  to  reproach  me  for  being  more  occupied 
with  the  elevation  of  my  family  than  the  in- 
terest of  the  Church.”  The  Emperor  could 
not  but  admire  his  reply. 

Joseph  made  sumptuous  presents  to  the 
dignitaries  accompanying  the  Pope;  and 
Pius  VI.,  in  his  turn,  gave  many  proofs  of 
his  liberality  to  those  Vi^hom  Joseph  had  at- 
tached to  his  service.  The  Pope  might  have 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  87 

been  consoled,  if  his  grief  had  been  such  as 
to  admit  of  consolation.  The  most  pompous 
etiquette  was  used  by  the  Emperor,  to  render 
the  last  honors  to  his  guest,  now  his  friend. 
With  the  man  Pius  YL  he  was  satisfied,  but 
not  with  the  Pontiff.  Several  different  times 
Joseph  promised  to  return  the  visit,  and  Pius 
VI.  appeared  delighted  at  the  idea.  Perhaps 
he  hoped  to  find  him  a little  less  inflexible, 
when  separated  from  his  inexorable  minister. 
. Pius  YL  commenced  his  journey.  Joseph 
and  his  brother  accompanied  him  three  leagues 
from  Vienna.  All  three  descended  and  per* 
formed  their  devotions  in  the  church  of  Ma- 
riabrunn.  The  Pope  embraced  the  two  bro- 
thers, who  gave  unequivocal  signs  of  lively 
emotion.  Sighs  and  tears  were  mixed  with 
the  acclamations  of  the  crowd  that  surrounded 
them. 

The  Pope,  profoundly  moved  by  so  many 
marks  of  affection  and  respect,  took  his  de^ 

parture,  his  eyes  bathed  in  tears. 

4 


38 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


Shortly  after,  a marble  monument  was 
placed  at  the  entrance  of  the  Church  of 
Mariabrunn,  with  this  inscription,  in  Latin 
and  German  : “Pius  VI.  the  Sovereign  Pon- 
tiff and  Joseph  II.  Emperor  of  the  Eomans, 
with  the  Arch-Duke,  after  performing  their 
devotions  in  this  church,  separated,  tenderly 
embracing  each  other,  amid  the  tears  of  the 
spectators.” 

But  an  unfortunate  circumstance  darkened 
the  day  that  appeared  so  glorious  for  Joseph, 
and  so  flattering  for  the  religious  of  Maria- 
brunn. Scarcely  had  these  touching  adieux 
ended,  when  the  commissary  of  the  Emperor 
came  to  sequestrate  the  revenues  of  the  mon- 
astery. Thus  this  prince,  chained  by  his  evil 
passions  on  the  one  side,  and  led  away  by  a 
deceitful  philosophy  on  the  other,  exhibited 
hirrself  under  such  different  aspects. 

The  Elector  of  Bavaria,  wishing  the  Pope 
to  think  his  dominions  were  no  less  powerful 
than  those  of  Austria,  displayed  in  his  guard 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  89 

all  the  pomp  of  his  court.  He  went  to  meet 
His  Holiness  in  a superb  carriage,  in  which 
he  conducted  him  to  Munich,  amidst  the  ac- 
clamations of  a people  as  religious  as  the 
Viennees.  He  remained  six  days  in  this  city, 
which  was  called  the  Eome  of  Germany,  and 
saw  with  joy  that  this  title  was  deserved. 
Pius  VI.  was  received  with  all  homage,  and 
no  disagreeable  circumstance  marred  his  en- 
joyment. He  perceived  with  satisfaction, 
that  philosophy  had  not  undermined  his 
authority,  and  that  faith  and  subordination 
to  the  Church  remained  intact.  This  happy 
country  had  escaped  the  general  confusion 
and  disturbance.  The  Pope  found  himself 
as  much  loved  and  revered  as  in  Eome. 
When  nearing  his  frontier,  he  turned  ten- 
derly to  this  country,  so  dear  to  his  heart, 
and  left  for  its  inhabitants  his  adieux  and 
benediction. 

The  Elector  of  Treves,  who  had  visited  his 
Holiness  at  Munich,  accompanied  him  to 


40 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


Augsburg,  of  which  place  he  was  Bishop, 
and  where  he  resided.  On  entering  the  ter- 
ritory of  this  Imperial  city,  where  the  Catho- 
lic religion  and  Protestant  sects  were  equally 
tolerated,  Pius  VI.  found  himself  for  the  first 
time,  on  ground  where  Catholicity  did  not 
reign  exclusively.  The  Catholic  magistrates 
having  demanded  of  their  Protestant  col- 
leagues how  they  proposed  to  receive  the 
Pope,  the  latter  replied,  as  a crowned  head, 
and  declared  themselves  perfectly  willing  to 
render  to  him  all  the  homage  due  to  this  title. 
Pius  VI.  was  complimented  by  a deputation 
from  the  Senate — half  Catholic,  half  Protest- 
ant— and  received  such  presents  as  in  Impe- 
rial cities  are  generally  made  to  eminent 
personages.  The  librarian,  Monsieur  Mes- 
treus,  who  was  a Protestant,  was  charged  to 
address  the  Holy  Father.  Enchained  by  ad- 
miration of  the  Pontiff,  Monsieur  Mestreus 
made  use  of  expressions  so  respectful,  and  so 
little  used  by  Protestants,  that  the  sectaries 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


41 


commenced  to  murmur,  and  it  was  still  worse 
when  he  bent  the  knee  before  His  Holiness. 

On  approaching  his  capital,  the  Holy  Father 
received  testimony  so  expressive  of  the  grati- 
tude and  joy  with  which  he  would  be  wel- 
comed, that  the  most  stony  heart  could  not 
but  have  been  moved.  As  an  incontestible 
and  touching  proof  of  the  devotion  that  the 
people  bore  His  Holiness,  it  may  be  men- 
tioned that  in  the  joy  of  his  return,  they  for- 
got their  subjects  of  distress  and  the  high 
price  of  provisions.  As  soon  as  this  came 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  Pope,  he  caused 
them  to  be  provided  with  the  means  of  sub- 
sistence until  this  momentary  penury  should 
cease,  and  exempted  them  from  a tax  which 
had  until  then  been  paid  on  account  of  the 
salubrity  of  the  city. 

Pius  VI.  delayed  no  time  in  rendering  to 
the  Sacred  College  a solemn  account  of  all 
that  had  transpired  at  Vienna.  He  gave  an 
authentic  account  in  the  Consistory  of  Sep- 


42 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


tember  23,  1782,  of  all  that  had  happened 
on  the  route,  and  all  that  had  resulted  from 
his  negociations  with  the  Emperor.  His  pla- 
cidity, modesty,  lirmness,  disinterestedness, 
and  munificence,  were  the  admiration  of  all. 

The  knowledge  of  the  Emperor,  his  affec- 
tion, of  Avhich  we  have  received  so  many 
proofs,  his  affability  and  his  kindness,”  said 
he,  “ appeared  on  our  arrival  to  augur  much. 
We  have  already  obtained  from  him  some 
important  concessions,  and  he  has  given  us 
the  hope  that  we  may  obtain  more.  He 
caused  a brief  to  be  addressed  to  the  Catho- 
lics, making  known  the  issue  of  the  negocia- 
tions, and  the  advantages  he  had  gained  for 
the  Church.  But  the  subsequent  proceedings 
of  Joseph  prevented  the  execution  of  the 
project. 

Soon  another  disastrous  project  was  di- 
vulged. It  became  known  that  Joseph  wish- 
ed to  despoil  of  their  possessions  all  the 
churches  in  his  kingdom.  Pius  VI.  hastened 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VT.  43 

to  w ite  to  the  Emperor.  ‘‘  What ! has  your 
majeirfty  no  regard  to  our  entreaties — are  they 
so  soon  forgotten  ? What  has  become  of  your 
proteftations  of  attachment,  the  purity  of  your 
religion,  and  the  orthodox  principles  professea 
by  your  Imperial  Majesty.” 

This  letter,  dated  August  8d,  was  long 
and  pathetic.  Ten  days  thereafter,  the  Em- 
peror responded  in  a dry  and  laconic  manner. 
“ The  reports  which  alarm  you  are  false. 
Without  making  any  research  in  the  texts  of 
Scripture  that  are  subject  to  explanation  and 
interpretations,  I feel  \nthin  me  a voice  which 
tells  me,  as  legislator  and  protector  of  reli- 
gion, what  I shall  do,  and  what  I shall  omit; 
and,  with  this  knowledge,  I feel  sure  that  I 
cannot  fall  into  error.” 

Notwithstanding  this  improper  reply,  the 
Pope  continued  his  correspondence  with 
Joseph.  Tho  ambassadors  of  France  and 
Spain  represented  to  him  that  he  was  com- 
promising his  character  and  dignity,  since  aU 


44 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


negociations  and  remonstrances  were  useless. 
‘‘No,”  replied  the  Pope,- “we  shall  not  com- 
promise ourselves  by  our  efforts  to  maintain 
the  cause  of  religion.  It  is  our  duty  to  make 
use  of  every  means  in  our  power  to  prevent 
the  Emperor  from  making  such  demands,  in 
order  that  we  stand  without  reproach  before 
God  and  man.  If  the  Emperor  deceive  us 
with  false  promises,  the  odium  will  fall  on 
him.  But  the  fear  of  disappointment  shall 
not  turn  us  from  our  duty.”  Pius  VI.  found 
himself  in  a critical  position.  Joseph,  faith- 
ful to  his  system  of  spoliation,  had,  without 
the  consent  of  the  Holy  See  appointed  a 
Bishop  for  Milan,  although  it  had  been  agreed 
between  them  that  the  Pope  should  propose 
the  subjects  for  the  bishoprics,  that  the  Em- 
peror should  inform  them  of  it,  and  the  elec- 
tions should  be  confirmed  by  the  apostolic 
judge.  Pius  VI.  could  not  confirm  this 
nomination.  He  sent  tf-  the  Emperor  a brief 


I 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI  45 

in  which  he  spoke  with  firmness  as  the  head 
of  the  Church. 

Joseph  made  no  reply  to  this  brief,  but 
formed  a determination  that  astonished  every 
one.  He  set  out  for  Eome. 

One  cannot  but  be  astonished  that  Joseph 
selected,  to  visit  the  Pope  at  Eome,  the  very 
moment  in  which  he  had  given  so  much  dis- 
pleasure to  the  Holy  See  ; for  besides  the  af- 
fair of  Milan,  Pius  VI.  had  to  complain  of 
the  public  menaces  of  the  Prince  of  Kaunitz. 
This  prince,  inflexible  and  arrogant,  encour- 
aged the  Emperor’s  views,  and  suggested  to 
him  the  most  violent  projects.  He  expressed 
himself  concerning  the  resistance  of  the  Pope, 
vvith.  more  bitterness  than  the  Emperor  him- 
self, and  said,  haughtily,  that  if  the  Court  of 
Eome  still  objected,  they  could  break  with 
it  entirely. 

Joseph  II.  departed  from  Vienna,  Decem- 
ber 6th,  1783,  after  having  named  the  Prince 


46  PONTIFICATE  AND 

of  Kaunitz  Director-General  of  all  current 
affairs,  and  having  announced  that  his  jour- 
ney was  indispensable,  without  indicating  its 
object.  He  arrived  in  Florence  on  the  18th. 
The  King  of  Sweden,  who  traveled  under 
the  name  of  the  Count  de  Haga,  was  in  the 
city  at  the  same  time,  and  departed  for  Koine, 
Pius  VI.  had  been  informed  of  it,  and  sent  a 
courier  to  meet  him.  Joseph,  some  hours  in 
advance  of  the  King,  encountered  the  courier, 
who  mistook  him  for  the  Count  de  Haga,  and 
entered  Rome  under  this  name,  December  23. 

Since  the  year  1769,  Joseph  had  not  visited 
Rome.  Among  the  personages  that  he  had 
met  there,  was  the  Chevalier  Azzara,  who 
was  agent  of  the  Spanish  Court,  and  who  had 
been  noticed  by  him  on  account  of  their  con- 
formity of  opinion.  Without  making  him- 
self known,  he  wrote  to  him  to  ask  a confer- 
ence with  him  on  that  evening,  desiring  that 
he  should  name  as  a rendezvous  one  of  the 
theatres  of  Rome.  The  Chevalier  expressed 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  47 

his  satisfaction,  and,  during  the  interval,  the 
Emperor  was  conducted  by  his  minister  to 
the  Pope.  The  news  of  his  arrival  had  not 
yet  reached  the  Vatican.  All  at  once  the 
news  came  to  Cardinal  Pallavicini  that  the 
Emperor  had  arrived.  The  Cardinal  doubted 
its  truth,  and  the  Pope  betrayed  his  astonish- 
ment. They  hastened  to  prepare  for  Joseph 
a suitable  reception,  but  whilst  they  were 
thus  employed  he  presented  himself  before 
the  Holy  Father. 

Pius  VI.,  though  taken  unawares  by  this 
visit,  received  him  with  dignity  and  affection. 
The  adversary  disa])peared — he  saw  only  an 
illustrious  host,  who  had  formerly  received 
him  with  ardor  and  cordiality.  After  con- 
versing for  a length  of  time,  they  both  visited 
the  Church  of  St.  Peter.  The  Pope  offered 
him  a Prie  Dieu  at  his  side.  The  Emperor 
modestlv  refused  this  honor,  and  knelt  down 
a few  steps  behind  His  Holiness. 

From  thence,  the  Emperor  joined  the  Che- 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


valier,  and  they  formed  a plan  which,  said  he, 
should  astonish  Europe.  This  was  nothing 
less  than  absolute  schism.  He  wished  to  pre- 
serve intact  the  hierarchy  and  the  dogmas,  but 
u he  wished  to  withdraw  his  subjects  from  the 
/ pontifical  supremacy.  If  these  proceedings 
were  called  schismatic,  it  mattered  not. 

During  the  six  days  that  the  Emperoi 
passed  in  Eome,  he  held  several  conferences 
of  this  kind  with  the  Cardinal  de  Bernis,  as 
well  as  Chevalier  Azzara.  He  had  also  with 
the  Pope  a long  and  animated  conversation. 
The  one  established  his  rights,  the  other 
maintained  his  pretensions.  Joseph  arrived 
in  Eome  with  the  determination  to  dispense 
with  the  indult,  that  His  Holiness  believed 
himself  unable  to  grant,  without  prejudice  to 
the  rights  of  the  Holy  See,  of  which  he  was 
but  the  tenant  and  depository.  But  the 
Emperor  resolved  now  to  exact  by  force 
what  he  could  not  obtain  from  the  conde- 
scendence of  the  Pope.  The  observations  of 


CAPTIVITY  or  PIUS  VI  49 

the  Frencli  minister,  however,  staggered  him, 
and  he  resolved  to  solicit  the  indult,  but  in  a 
manner  that  had  less  the  air  of  a concession 
than  a tight. 

After  several  days  passed  at  Naples,  the 
Emperor  returned  to  Eorne,  and  remained 
some  time.  The  question  of  the  indult  was 
agitated  anew.  Each  of  the  adversaries  in 
this  political  and  religious  duel  called  to  their 
aid  condescension  and  firmness.  Neverthe- 
less a rupture  would  have  been  inevitable 
had  they  not  been  intimately  acquainted. 
Joseph  even  committed  to  writing  a contract, 
but  Pius  VI.  found  that  the  interests. of  the 
Holy  See  were  compromised,  and  refused  to 
subscribe  to  it.  Joseph  could  no  longer  com- 
mand himself,  and  withdrawing  his  compact 
with  vexation,  “ Why  these  meetings,  then,” 
said  he ; “ we  are  friends,  we  shall  remain  so, 
and  each,  in  his  own  state  shall  act  his  own 
pleasure.”  The  Pope  replied  boldly,  ‘‘Ah! 

well,  if  your  Majesty  has  caused  the  conse- 
5 


60 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


cration  of  tlie  Archbishop  of  Milan,  without 
the  canonical  institution,  all  union  with  that 
Prelate  is  broken.’^ 

The  Emperor  was  disconcerted.  After 
some  moments  of  reflection  he  introduced  the 
subject  of  the  compact  again,  corrected  and  ex- 
amined it ; disputed  even  then  with  warmth ; 
the  negotiators  then  committed  to  writing  in 
Latin  the  concordat,  which  was  to  terminate 
their  differences.  The  Chancellor  of  the  Pope, 
having  added  the  usual  forms,  Joseph  re- 
ceived a copy  of  it  the  evening  before  his 
departure.  Thus  the  Pope  brought  the  Em- 
peror to  the  terms  of  the  preceding  conven- 
tion, which  had  regulated  all  that  concerned 
the  bishoprics  of  the  Milanese ; so  that  Pius 
VI.  could  boast  of  having  this  time  subdued 
the  inflexible  Joseph. 

This  advantage  was  followed  by  no  im- 
portant change ; for  the  Emperor  always  pre- 
served the  same  spirit  of  opposition,  and  his 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  51 

fatal  example  was  followed  by  the  neighbor- 
ing princes. 

Pius  VI.  was  deeply  afflicted  at  the  unani- 
mity of  a party  formed  in  Germany  to  attack 
the  most  ancient  rights — rights  sanctioned  by 
a possession  never  contested,  never  interrupted 
— rights  most  necessary  to  the  maintenance 
of  unity,  and  without  which  the  Church  could 
not  be  sustained. 

It  was  not  in  Germany  alone  that  troubles 
commenced.  The  bishops,  not  wishing  to  be 
subordinate  to  the  metropolitans,  and  the 
latter  to  the  Holy  See,  they  could  not  agree 
with  the  chiefs  of  the  insurrection.  These 
revolutions  were  followed  by  a still  more  vio- 
lent ones  in  France,  before  which  those  in 
Germany  ceased,  as  if  frightened. 

To  the  end  of  his  reign  Joseph  II.  was  mis- 
led by  his  irresistible  penchant  for  innovation. 
He  ordered  that  the  sacraments,  in  portions 
of  his  dominions,  should  be  administered  in 


52 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


the  vulgar  language.  He  granted  greater 
tolerance  to  the  Protestants  of  Hungary,  and 
caused  a Oalvinistic  church  to  be  established 
in  Constance.  But  it  was  particularly  in  the 
Lowlands,  where  he  employed  his  prosely tism, 
that  he  wounded  the  soul  of  the  Holy  Father 
In  the  country,  eminently  Catholic,  exas- 
peration was  at  its  height.  From  representa- 
tions the  inhabitants  came  to  menaces,  and 
from  menaces  to  arms.  The  generals  were 
beaten;  and  the  moment  arrived  when  the 
confident  and  Imperial  Joseph,  who  during 
his  life  had  caused  but  bitterness  to  the  Pope, 
had  recourse  to  him  to  extinguish  the  flamed 
that  he  had  enkindled  in  the  Lowlands. 
Cardinal  Herzan  went  by  Joseph’s  orders  to 
solicit  the  good  offices  of  His  Holiness,  and 
to  consult  with  him  concerning  the  lament- 
able condition  of  the  provinces.  He  found 
Pius  VI.  absorbed  in  prayer,  his  eyes  bathed 
in  tears,  at  the  sad  spectacle  that  the  Christian 
states  presented,  in  almost  all  Europe. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  53 

The  efforts  of  Pius  VI.  to  establish  peace 
were  fruitless.  Joseph  descended  to  the 
tomb,  February  20, 1790,  leaving  Belgium  in 
confusion,  or  rather,  after  having  seen  escape 
from  his  hands  the  states  that  he  had  pre- 
tended to  regenerate — sad  and  last  result  of 
his  fatal  illusions  1 


t 


y 


II. 


We  have  related,  without  interruption,  all 
the  contentions  and  strifes  of  Joseph  II.  with 
the  Holy  Father,  and  we  have  passed  over  in 
silence  many  difficulties  that  the  Sovereign 
Pontiff  experienced  at  the  same  time. 

Four  German  Prelates  formed  themselves 
into  a league,  to  oblige  the  Pope  to  make 
impossible  concessions.  The  establishment 
of  peace  would  have  been  a matter  of  much 
difficulty,  but  for  the  troubles  of  Brabant,  the 
death  of  Joseph,  and  above  all,  the  French 
Eevolution,  that  frustrated  the  designs  of  the 
coalition.  This  coalition  was  known  under 
the  name  of  the  League  of  Ems. 

Matters  were  carried  much  farther  in  Tus- 
cany. The  Grand  Duke  Leopold,  brother  of 
the  Emperor,  was  the  unceasing  cause  of 


56 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


trouble  and  uneasiness  to  the  Sovereign  Pon- 
tiff. Like  his  brother,  he  was  seconded  in 
his  projects  by  a perfidious  counsellor,  who 
united  audacity  to  cunning.  Ricci,  Bishop 
of  Pistoia,  was  the  most  active  instrument  in 
the  extinguishment  of  Catholicity  in  this 
region. 

Leopold  addressed  to  the  Bishops  of  his 
kingdom  a long  memorial  on  the  reforms  to 
be  made.  To  give  greater  authority  to  these 
innovations,  and  at  the  solicitation  of  Ricci, 
Leopold  called  a synod  at  Pistoia.  Ricci 
presided.  Leopold,  encouraged  by  the  suc- 
cess Sf  this  his  first  measure,  called  together 
all  the  bishops  from  Tuscany  to  Florence. 
His  calculations  were  false : far  from  finding 
supporters  in  the  majority  of  the  bishops,  he 
found  them  firm  adherents  of  the  Holy  See, 
and  enemies  of  schism  and  discord. 

Leopold,  irritated  by  their  noble  conduct, 
dissolved  the  Synod,  showing  to  the  prelates 
assembled  his  discontent  by  passing  manj 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  57 

enoomiums  on  Eicci.  Matters  were  pushed 
to  the  extreme,  and  would  have  caused  the 
most  disastrous  consequences,  but  for  the 
death  of  Joseph  IL,  which  called  Leopold  to 
the  Imperial  throne. 

It  was  then  seen  that  this  prince  had  acted 
at  the  instigation  of  another.  No  longer 
swayed  by  his  brother,  he  appeared  a changed 
person.  Eicci,  who  was  detested  in  Tuscany, 
lost  his  influence,  resigned,  and  took  flight. 
The  proposed  reforms  were  abandoned. 

Leopold  announced  this  to  the  Pope  in  a 
very  affecting  letter.  Pius  VL,  who  during 
the  lifetime  of  Joseph  II.,  had  generously  la- 
bored for  the  pacification  of  Belgium,  seconded 
the  new  Emperor  in  suppressing  the  difficuL 
ties  that  devastated  these  Catholic  provinces. 

Attacks  so  numerous  and  multiplied  had 
not  disconcerted  the  Holy  Father.  Vicar  of 
Jesus  Christ,  he  possessed  a mild  firmness, 
and  an  inextinguishable  confidence  in  Him 
who  had  professed  himself  as  the  shepherd 


58 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


of  his  flock.  As  a sovereign,  notwithstand- 
ing his  embarrassments,  he  had  accomplished 
all  that  was  possible  for  the  glory  and  happi- 
ness of  his  states.  He  caused  the  execution 
of  magnificent  works  of  art,  and  enriched 
the  Museum  to  a considerable  extent.  But 
that  which  ought  to  perpetuate  particularly 
the  memory  of  this  Pontiff,  was  his  enterprise 
in  the  draining  of  the  Pontine  Marshes,  and 
the  difficulty  with  which  he  caused  the  exe- 
cution of  the  Appian  Way,  which  rendered 
twelve  thousand  acres  of  land  fit  for  cultiva- 
tion. 

His  greatest  solicitude  was  for  the  poor, 
always  endeavoring  to  render  their  position 
less  painful.  He  applied  himself  principally 
to  the  preservation  of  morals,  and  the  educa- 
tion of  children.  He  opened  asylums  for  the 
benefit  of  poor  girls,  and  called  to  Eome  the 
brothers  of  the  Christian  schools,  to  confide 
scholars  to  their  care. 

The  moment  had  arrived  when  France,  a 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


69 


prey  for  several  years  to  the  influence  of  a 
false  philosophy,  presented  to  the  v^orld  a sad 
example  of  the  violent  excesses  that  can  be 
produced  by  human  passions.  The  year  1789 
was  heralded  by  the  most  sorrowful  auspices. 
The  efforts  to  overthrow  the  throne  and  de- 
stroy the  Catholic  religion  had  increased. 
The  attempts  to  arrest  these  efforts,  badly 
combined,  had  given  but  activity  and  violence 
to  the  attacks.  The  national  assembly  soon 
decreed  that  the  ecclesiastical  wealth  should 
be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  nation  ; then 
the  religious  orders  were  suppressed,  and 
monastic  vows  abolished. 

Pius  YI.  could  not  see  without  profound 
grief  these  culpable  measures,  which  presaged 
that  still  more  disastrous.  On  the  10th  July 
he  addressed  a brief  to  Louis  XYI.,  to  recall 
to  his  recollection  the  principles  of  the  Church. 
“We  owe,  without  doubt,”  said  he,  “much 
to  men,  but  we  owe  more  to  God.  Take  care, 
dear  son  in  Christ,  take  care  how  you  allow 


60 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


yourself  to  believe  that  a civil  and  political 
body  has  the  right  to  alter  the  universal  dis- 
dipline  of  the  Church ; to  consider  as  nothing 
the  decrees  of  the  Holy  Fathers  and  the 
Councils,  and  to  demolish  the  constitution  of 
the  Church  Catholic.  You  have  made  great 
sacrifices  for  the  good  of  your  people ; but 
should  you  be  forced  to  renounce  the  rights 
of  your  crown,  remember  that  it  is  not  in 
your  power  to  abandon  those  that  belong  to 
God  and  the  Church,  of  which  you  are  the 
son.”  This  unfortunate  prince,  who  desired 
but  the  happiness  and  peace  of  his  people, 
could  not  resist  the  thousand  suggestions  of 
those  around  him.  He  allowed  himself  to  be 
deluded  concerning  the  nature  of  the  act  they 
demanded  of  him,  and  affixed  his  seal  to 
decrees  that  he  did  not  approve,  and  the 
sanction  of  which  he  repented  all  his  life. 
“I  beg  God,”  said  he,  in  his  memorable  will, 
‘‘to  receive  my  profound  repentance,  for 
having  placed  my  name,  though  against  my 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


6] 


tvill,  to  those  acts  contrary  to  the  discipline 
and  belief  of  the  Church  Catholic,  to  which 
I have  always  remained  sincerely  united  in 
heart.’’ 

Pius  YI.  assembled  the  Cardinals,  and  with 
their  advice,  resolved  to  consult  the  bishops 
of  France  as  to  the  best  steps  to  be  taken  at 
this  difficult  crisis.  Boisgelin,  Archbishop 
of  Aix,  published  a paper  entitled  “ Exposi-  A 
tion  of  the  Principles  •of  the  Civil  Constitu- 
tion  of  the  Clergy.”  One  hundred  and  forty 
bishops  approved  this  “ Exposition,”  in  which 
the  true  principles  of  the  Church  were  de- 
fended, with  a moderation  and  docility  capa- 
ble of  impressing  the  most  wicked ; but  the 
plan  of  destruction  was  only  stayed.  The 
men  who  had  sacrilegiously  attacked  the 
Catholic  religion  in  France,  wished  nothing 
but  the  servitude  of  the  Church  and  the  de- 
struction of  its  edifices. 


6 


EL 

In  the  first  month  of  the  year  1791,  the 
Holy  Father  addressed  two  briefs,  the  one  to  ^ 
the  bishops,  the  other  to  the  clergy  and  faith- 
ful  of  France.  In  the  latter  he  spoke  eulo- 
gistically  of  the  “ Exposition  of  Principles,’^ 
and  deplored  the  defection  of  the  four  bishops 
who  had  allowed  themselves  to  be  seduced. 
These  briefs  served  as  a guide  to  the  faithful 
Catholics,  but  they  could  not  arrest  the  pro- 
jects of  the  innovators,  and  who  soon  com- 
menced to  strengthen  their  new  church  by 
blood  and  massacres. 

The  national  assembly  followed  up  its 
work.  Avignon  and  the  Venetian  princi- 
pality were  invaded,  and  reunited  to  France. 
The  recriminations  of  the  Holy  Father  were 
vain,  and  the  Holy  See  saw  itself  despoiled 


64 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


under  false  pretexts,  without  the  means  of 
obtaining  just  reparation,  A great  crime 
was  soon  committed,  that  caused  all  civilized 
nations  to  tremble.  Louis  XVI.,  whose  only 
thought  was  for  the  happiness  of  his  people, 
was  conducted  to  the  scaffold,  and  the  head 
of  this  good  prince  fell  under  the  sword  of  the 
executioner. 

The  news  of  this  event  plunged  Pius  VI. 
into  profound  grief.  In  the  Consistory  which 
was  held  shortly  after,  he  pronounced  Louis’ 
eulogy ; he  pointed  out  the  iniquity  of  his 
condemnation,  and  the  physical  and  moral 
tortures  that  he  had  endured.  “Notwith- 
standing,” said  he,  “ that  the  mildness,  and 
benevolence,  and  constant  desire  of  Louis  to 
satisfy  all  are  universally  known,  we  cannot 
pass  over  in  silence  his  last  expressions,  dis- 
closing so  much  piety  and  virtue.  What 
admirable  attachment  to  the  Catholic  faith ! 
what  submission  to  the  will  of  God!  and 
what  profound  repentance  for  having  signed 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  65 

his  name,  though  contrary  to  his  will,  to 
those  acts  contrary  to  the  discipline  of  the 
Church  I 0 1 day  of  triumph  for  Louis,  to 
whom  Heaven  has  given  patience  in  these 
rude  trials,  and  who  has  found  victory  in  the 
arms  of  death ! Yes  ; we  have  the  confi- 
dence that  he  has  left  this  perishable  crown 
and  these  tarnished  lilies,  only  to  receive 
greater  glory  in  heaven.”  ‘‘  0 France !”  ex- 
claimed the  Sovereign  Pontiff;  “0  France! 
that  our  ancestors  have  ever  called  the  model 
of  Catholic  unity — the  constant  support  of 
the  faith;  that  hast  surpassed  all  other  na- 
tions in  devotion  to  the  apostolic  chair.  Ah, 
how  art  thou  changed  1 What  has  inspired 
thee  all  at  once  with  so  much  hatred  and 
fury?”  .... 

Soon  the  storm,  sj;ill  increasing,  fell  on 
Italy.  Savoy  and  the  principality  of  Nice 
had  been  invaded  by  the  French  republicans ; 
and  the  ecclesiastics  that  had  emigrated  to 

these  countries  flocked  to  the  states  of  the 

7* 


66 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


Pope.  Pius  VI.  welcomed  them  hospitably. 
Moved  more  than  any  one  else,  as  Father  of 
the  Faithful,  by  the  great  misfortune  of  these 
generous  confessors  of  the  Faith,  he  proffered 
his  own  resources,  and  by  his  exhortations 
excited  in  their  favor  the  zeal  and  charity  of 
the  Catholics  of  Europe. 

The  French  Government  accused  the  Holy 
Pontiff  of  being  a declared  enemy  to  the 
changes  made  in  the  Government ; they  re- 
proached him  with  the  death  of  Bassville, 
who  had  perished  from  a wound  received  in 
a riot.  This  Basville,  sent  as  courier  extra- 
ordinary by  the  French  Consul  to  Naples, 
had  excited  the  discontent  of  the  Eoman 
people  by  his  menaces,  his  boastings,  his 
audacious  pretensions  and  insolent  conduct. 

The  pontifical  government,  informed  of 
this  indiscreet  conduct,  and  of  the  great  ex- 
citement prevailing  among  the  people,  ami- 
cably exhorted  the  fiery  republican  to  abstain 
from  all  demonstrations.  Instead  of  acquies- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  67 

V 

cing  in  this  sage  advice,  he  haughtily  an- 
nounced that  he  should  mount  the  tri-colored 
cockade  and  hoist  the  flag  of  liberty,  on  the 
evening  of  the  13th  of  January. 

In  truth,  that  day,  about  the  hour  of  five, 
was  seen  near  the  palace  of  the  French  Acad- 
emy, then  situated  in  the  most  frequented 
portion  of  Rome,  the  carriage  of  Bassville 
and  La  Flotte,  another  French  officer.  These 
two  personages,  as  well  as  the  coachman  and 
valet,  wore  the  tri-colored  cockade,  and  in 
the  interior  of  the  coach  was  erected  a small 
republican  standard. 

The  people,  feeling  themselves  insulted, 
became  clamorous,  and  several  stones  greeted 
the  republicans.  The  discharge  of  firearms 
from  the  carriage,  without,  however,  wound- 
ing any  one,  served  to  exasperate  them  still 
more.  The  republicans  in  an  instant  found 
themselves  almost  surrounded,  and  were 
obliged  to  take  refuge  in  the  house  of  a 
French  banker,  by  the  name  of  Lamotte. 


68 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


The  people  entered,  and  Bassville  was  found 
armed  with  a stiletto.  He  vainly  endeavored 
to  defend  himself,  and  soon  received  a mortal 
blow. 

The  pontifical  guard  promptly  took  the 
wounded  man  under  their  protection. 

Pius  VI.  had,  without  doubt,  cause  for  in- 
dignation against  these  disturbers  of  the  pub- 
lic peace  of  his  dominions;  but  when  he 
saw  them  in  trouble,  he  thought  only  of  the 
succor  he  could  extend  to  them.  The  Roman 
government  sent  to  Bassville  physicians,  sur 
geons  and  priests.  The  unfortunate  man, 
mortally  wounded,  made  his  confession,  gave 
evidence  of  a sincere  repentance,  and  public- 
ly retracted  his  errors.  He  died  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  14th  of  January.  His  body  was 
carried  to  the  church  of  St.  Laurence,  and 
the  expenses  of  his  funeral  were  borne  by 
the  Holy  Father.  As  to  La  Flotte,  the  au- 
thorities took  measures  for  his  safety,  and  oy 

the  evening  of  the  fatal  event,  he  was  placed 
a 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  69 

with  his  'v\ife  and  chrildren,  in  a place  of  safe- 
ty. There  they  were  furnished  with  money 
and  everything  that  was  necessary.  He  de- 
parted, accompanied  by  an  escort,  and  arrived 
safely  at  the  frontier  of  the  ecclesiastical 
states.  The  government  provided  for  the  se- 
curity of  the  French  then  living  in  Eome ; 
and  the  palace  of  the  French  Academy,  that 
the  populace  wished  to  destroy,  was  saved 
from  the  incendiary. 

The  French,  under  the  command  of  Napo- 
leon Bonaparte,  advanced  into  the  heart  of 
the  country,  and  took  possession  of  divers 
provinces  in  Italy,  rather  by  force  of  arms 
and  the  valor  of  the  soldiers,  than  by  the 
propagation  of  the  revolutionary  ideas. 

The  20th  of  May,  1796,  Bonaparte  an- 
nounced, in  a proclamation,  that  he  intended 
to  push  his  conquests  even  to  Eome,  and  to 
awaken  the  Eoman  people,  rendered  insensi- 
ble by  so  many  centuries  of  servitude.  The 
act  soon  followed  the  menace,  notwithstand- 


70 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


iiig  the  assurances  given  the  Holy  Father  by 
the  French  general.  A regiment  under  com- 
mand of  Augerau,  that  Bonaparte  shortly 
after  joined,  penetrated  as  far  as  Bologna. 
There  they  imprisoned  the  Cardinal  Legate 
and  the  pontifical  soldiers,  and  proclaimed 
the  republic. 

Rome  was  without  defence  against  such 
aggressions.  The  Holy  Father  had  recourse 
to  negotiations.  He  addressed  himself  to 
the  Chevalier  Azana,  Minister  of  Spain,  who 
was  unable  to  arrest  the  torrent,  even  at  the 
price  of  great  sacrifices.  The  Pope  was  to 
give  up  Bologna  and  Ferrara,  pay  five  mil- 
lions, deliver  up  his  most  beautiful  pictures 
and  finest  statues.  Yielding  to  necessity,  he 
accepted  these  rigorous  conditions,  and  sent 
to  Paris  a plenipotentiary,  charged  with  the 
execution  of  the  treaty.  Notwithstanding 
the  rigor  of  these  measures,  the  Directory  did 
not  wish  to  confirm  the  treaty  unless  the 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  71 

Pope  should  retract  his  briefs  against  the  civil 
constitution  of  the  clergy. 

September  9,  Garreau  and  Salicetti,  Com- 
missaries of  the  Directory,  who  were  in  Flo- 
rence, sent  to  the  Prelate  Caleppi  the  treaty, 
containing  sixty-four  articles.  They  gave 
him  but  six  days  in  which  to  reply,  and  re- 
marked that  the  articles  must  be  accepted  or 
refused  entire.  Such  was  the  haughty  tone 
they  assumed  toward  the  Pontift.  Article  4 
required  that  the  Pope  should  declare  himself 
deceived,  and  recall  his  briefs  on  the  civil 
constitution  of  the  clergy.  Article  16  re- 
quired that  the  Inquisition  should  be  abolish 
ed.  Caleppi  departed  immediately  for  Rome. 
The  Cardinals  were  assembled  in  the  Sacred 
College.  Their  opinions  were  unanimous. 
Caleppi  had  orders  to  write,  in  the  Pope^s 
name,  that  religion  would  not  permit  him  to 
accept  the  conditions.  The  position  of  the 
Court  of  Rome  was  frightful.  The  French 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


/2 

army  occupied  the  North  of  Italy  and  the 
States  belonging  to  the  Church.  Kefusing  to 
comply  with  the  demands  of  the  Directory, 
the  Pope  was  exposed  to  still  greater  misfor- 
tunes ; but  the  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ  believed 
it  unworthy  of  himself  to  buy  peace  by  dis- 
avowing acts  sanctioned  by  the  Church.  He 
passed  the  remainder  of  the  year  in  the  most 
precarious  situation,  and  in  constant  inquie- 
tude. 

In  this  state  of  affairs,  an  accident  decided 
the  crisis.  The  Cardinal  Busca — ^new  Secre- 
tary of  State — wrote  to  the  Nuncio  at  Vien- 
na, and  assured  him  of  the  contempt  he  had 
for  the  French,  and  the  expectation  that  he 
had,  that  the  Emperor  would  come  to  the  suc- 
n/  cor  of  His  Holiness. 

This  letter  fell  into  the  hands  of  Bonaparte 
and  became  the  signal  for  war.  The  1st  of 
February,  1797,  they  declared  the  treaty 
broken,  and  the  French  army  marched 
against  the  Pope’s  dominions.  They  invaded 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  73 

[mola,  Forti  Cereaa,  Eomagna,  Urbin,  and 
arrived,  on  the  17th  of  the  month,  at  Tolen- 
tino.  The  shrine  of  Loretto  was  pillaged, 
half  of  the  Pope^s  dominions  invaded,  and 
Rome  appalled.  The  Pope  was  informed 
that  he  was  no  longer  secure,  and  that  meas- 
ures should  be  taken  immediately  to  secure 
his  safety.  Pius  YI.  assembled  the  Oardi* 
nals  and  declared  his  determination  to  remain 
in  Rome  if  it  met  with  their  approbation,  but 
they  decided  that  prudence  required  that  he 
should  retire  to  Naples.  Whilst  preparations 
were  being  made  relative  to  this  matter,  a re- 
ligious, sent  by  Bonaparte,  desired  to  see 
the  Pope.  He  said  that  the  general  and 
chief  of  the  army  had  commissioned  him 
to  come  to  Rome  and  say  to  His  Holiness,, 
that  it  was  unnecessary  for  him  to  leave  his 
city  “ You  can  say  to  Pius  YI.,”  added  he, 
“that  Bonaparte  is  not  an  Attila,  and  that 
when  he  becomes  one,  he  must  remember 

that  he  is  a successor  of  Leo.” 

7 


74 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


Some  time  previous,  Bonaparte  had  writ- 
ten : “ Whatever  may  happen,  I beg  you, 
Monsigneur  Cardinal,  to  assure  His  Holiness 
that  he  can  remain  in  Rome  without  uneasi- 
ness.” The  Pope  hoped  that  his  title  as  Pre- 
mier of  Religion  would  be  a protection  for 
himself  and  states. 

He  promised,  also,  the  inhabitants  of  Rome 
that  they  should  find  a friend  in  the  army; 
and  above  all  I will  see,  said  he,  that  there  is 
no  change  in  the  religion  of  your  fathers. 
Such  were  the  promises  of  Napoleon. 

The  Holy  Father  found  himself  surrounded 
by  so  great  a number  of  embarrassments  of 
all  kinds,  that  he  judged  it  better  to  send 
plenipotentiaries  to  make  the  best  arrange- 
ments possible. 

These  plenipotentiaries,  four  in  number, 
proceeded  to  Tolentino  and  awaited  the  arri- 
val of  the  General.  They  were  bearers  of  a 
letter  couched  in  these  terms: 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


75 


“Desiring  to  terminate  amicably  the  diffi- 
culties between  myself  and  the  French  gov- 
ernment, and  to  see  our  territory  evacuated 
by  the  troops  under  your  command,  we  have 
sent,  and  deputed  as  our  plenipotentiaries, 
two  ecclesiastics,  the  Cardinal  Mattel,  who  is 
well  known  to  you,  and  the  Prelate  Caleppi, 
with  two  of  the  laity,  the  Duke  of  Braschi, 
onr  nephew,  and  the  Marquis  Oamillo  Massi- 
ng We  have  given  them  full  power  to  dis- 
cuss, regulate  and  prescribe  the  conditions, 
which  we  hope  will  be  in  conformity  with 
justice  and  reason.  We  engage  to  approve 
and  ratify  these  conditions,  so  that  in  future 
they  may  be  inviolable.  Determined  by  the 
sentiments  of  friendship  that  you  have  mani- 
fested for  our  person,  we  abstain  from  taking 
other  measures,  to  give  you  a proof  of  our 
great  confidence.  In  conclusion,  we  assure 
you  of  our  esteem,  and  present  you  with  our 
apostolic  benediction.’^ 

Bonaparte,  on  his  arrival  at  Tolentino, 
broke  out  in  invectives  against  the  Church 
of  Rome.  Afterwards  he  seemed  appeased, 
and  consented  to  terminate  the  war  by  a 
treaty,  which  he  rendered  as  onerous  as  pos- 
sible to  the  Holy  Father.  The  contribution 
levied  on  His  Holiness  was  increased  to  thirtv 


70  PONTIFICATE  AND 

millions  ; the  sum  of  three  thousand  francs 
was  exacted  for  the  family  of  Bassville ; then 
eight  hundred  battle-horses  ready  equipped, 
and  eight  hundred  draught-horses.  The 
Pope  was  then  obliged  to  diminish  his  militia 
and  to  give  liberty  to  all  state  prisoners ; and, 
in  fine,  he  was  to  consent  that  a portien  of 
his  territory  should  be  occupied  by  French 
troops. 

After  the  signing  of  this  treaty,  Napoleon 
wrote  the  following  letter  to  Pius  VI. : 

*‘I  ought, said  he,  “to  thank  your  Holi- 
ness for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  in  writing 
me.  The  treaty  between  the  French  Eepub- 
lic  and  your  Holiness  has  been  signed.  I 
congratulate  myself  on  having  contributed 
to  this  peace.  All  Europe  is  acquainted  with 
the  peaceful  disposition  and  conciliatory  vir- 
tues of  your  Holiness.  The  republic  will,  I 
J hope,  be  a true  friend  of  Kome.  I send  my 
aide-de-carnp  and  brigade  chief  to  express  to 
your  Majesty  the  perfect  esteem  and  venera- 
tion that  I entertain  for  your  person,  and  beg 
you  to  believe  that  I shall  give  proof  of  it  on 
every  occasion.” 

The  Holy  Father  hastened  to  satisfy  the 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


77 


demands  of  the  French  agent.  He  sent  the 
treasures  of  gold  and  silver  that  remained  in 
the  apostolic  palaces,  and  many  ornaments, 
rich  and  precious,  that  belonged  to  himself, 
or  that  were  found  in  the  Papal  chapel.  All 
religious  communities  were  ordered  to  add  to 
the  treasure,  by  bringing  all  the  gold  and  sil- 
ver ornaments  that  they  possessed.  The  Car- 
dinals, the  Eoman  princes,  all  the  nobility  and 
the  citizens,  obeyed  with  docility  the  orders 
of  their  sovereign.  One  month  after  the 
signing  of  the  treaty,  ten  ingots  of  gold  and 
silver  coin  were  sent  to  the  French  Commis- 
sary. Soon  after,  a large  quantity  of  pearls, 
diamonds  and  all  kinds  of  precious  stones 
were  delivered,  the  use  of  which  was  inter- 
dicted in  the  pontifical  states.  Five  hundred 
rare  manuscripts  were  sent  from  the  Vatican, 
New  vexations  were  added  to  the  already 
long  list  of  grievances.  The  French  Com- 
missaries, who  were  avaricious  and  unjust, 
valued  the  treasures  at  a very  reduced  price. 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


The  Holy  Father  had  nothing  to  expect 
from  any  other  power.  The  sovereigns  of 
Naples  and  Spain  thought  onh^  of  their  own 
preservation  ; their  government  had  long 
since  been  directed  by  ambitious  ministers 
that  were  hostile  to  religion.  Spain,  by  some 
inexplicable  conduct,  had  become  allied  to 
the  French  Eepublic,  and  had  as  Premier  Go- 
doi,  known  as  “ Prince  of  Peace,”  a man 
bold,  cunning,  without  manners  and  without 
faith.  The  Pope  found  himself  without  any 
means  of  defence.  His  paternal  heart  was 
sorely  afflicted  at  the  desolate  state  of  the 
Catholics  in  France ; deprived  of  their  priests, 
their  altars  and  their  services,  and  the  still 
greater  misfortune  of  seeing  this  beloved 
kingdom,  so  long  faithful  and  orthodox, 
plunged  in  schism  and  heresy. 

Notwithstanding  the  excessive  rigor  of  the 
treaty  of  Tolentino,  much  anxiety  was  mani- 
fested at  Rome  at  the  delay  of  the  Directory 
in  ratifying  it ; and  these  fears  were  not  with- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  79 

out  grounds.  The  French  government  had 
for  its  end  the  complete  ruin  and  annihilation 
of  the  pontifical  government,  both  spiritual 
and  temporal.  Two  months  after  the  signing 
of  the  treaty,  Bonaparte  announced  his  inten- 
tion of  forming  in  Italy  a republic,  ‘‘  that,” 
said  he,  “ constantly  increasing,  should  des- 
troy the  power  of  the  Pope.”  The  27th  of  / 
May,  1797,  he  wrote  to  the  Directory : An- 
cona, which  is  in  our  possession,  each  day  be- 
comes more  formidable.  We  shall  defend 
this  city  until  news  from  Eome  places  it  still 
more  at  our  disposal.” 

The  abode  of  the  French  in  Ancona  was 
only  temporary,  but  they  acted  as  masters  of 
the  soil.  In  the  month  of  June  they  caused 
a revolt  among  the  inhabitants.  The  rebels, 
protected  by  the  French  commander,  expelled 
the  Pontifical  authorities.  They  planted  the 
standard  of  liberty  and  established  a military 
government,  in  the  name  of  France.  The 
statues  of  the  Popes  were  destroyed;  those  / 


80 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


of  Pius  YI.,  particularly,  were  treated  with 
the  greatest  disrespect,  though  he  had  loaded 
Ancona  with  so  many  benefits. 

Eome  was  threatened  with  the  same  ex- 
cesses. 

The  malefactors  and  rebels  set  at  liberty 
by  the  treaty  of  Tolentino,  proud  of  the  pro- 
tection of  France,  labored  assiduously  to  fo- 
ment new  troubles.  They  held  nocturnal 
assemblies,  knowing  that  they  could  do  so 
with  impunity ; they  carried  their  audacity 
so  far  as  to  fire  on  the  pontifical  troops  sent  to 
maintain  good  order. 

Matters  were  carried  to  such  an  extent, 
that  the  French  agent,  Cacault,  to  whom  the 
Pope  had  recourse,  came  to  his  assistance, 
and  the  rebels  were  arrested. 

At  last  Joseph  Bonaparte,  brother  of  Na- 
poleon, arrived  in  the  character  of  Ambassa- 
dor, bringing  with  him,  at  the  same  time,  the 
ratification  of  the  treaty  of  Tolentino.  He 
manifested  much  respect  for  His  Holiness  and 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  81 

the  Cardinals ; but  this  respect  was  of  short 
duration.  He  connected  himself  with  disso- 
lute young  men,  and  was  soon  surrounded  by 
the  friends  of  anarchy  and  disorder. 

An  Austrian  general  having  been  recalled 
to  Eome,  to  take  command  of  the  pontifical 
militia,  Joseph  made  the  fact  known  to  Na- 
poleon. “ If,”  replied  Napoleon,  “ General 
Provera  does  not  leave  Eome  in  twenty-four 
hours,  I shall  be  obliged  to  go  there  myself. 
If  the  republic  showed  itself  generous  at  Tol- 
entino,  it  will  be  so  no  longer  when  hostili- 
ties shall  commence.” 

Beset  by  so  many  difficulties,  the  health  of 
the  pious  monarch  gave  way.  He  fell  dan- 
gerously sick,  and  his  life  was  in  danger. 
Napoleon,  informed  of  the  state  of  things  by 
his  brother,  wrote  on  the  27th  of  September; 
“Should  the  Pope  die,  use  every  possible 
means  to  prevent  the  election  of  another,  and 
to  excite  a revolution  in  Eome.” 

God,  who  spared  this  venerable  Pontiff  for 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


82  • 

greater  trials,  restored  his  health,  so  that  Jo- 
seph could  follow  only  the  last  injunction. 
He  required  that  the  disturbers  of  the  public 
peace,  who  had  been  imprisoned  with  the  ap- 
probation of  the  French  agent,  should  be  set 
at  liberty.  Their  audacity  was  then  without 
bounds.  They  sported  publicly  the  tri-color 
ed  cockade,  and  were  emboldened  by  the  ar- 
rival of  Duphot,  who  expected  to  be  united 
to  a sister  of  Bonaparte: 

On  the  arrival  of  this  general,  money,  prom- 
ises, menaces  and  seductions  were  employed 
to  gain  partisans  for  the  republic.  The  feast 
of  ^Christmas  was  chosen  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  conspiracy. 

The  Pope,  informed  of  the  plot,  took  the 
wisest  means  to  repress  or  prevent  the  disor- 
ders. Knowing  that  these  troubles  were  ex- 
cited by  the  French  and  their  friends,  the 
Cardinal  Secretary,  to  prevent  unjust  accusa- 
tion, called  on  the  French  Ambassador  and 
exposed  to  him  the  situation  of  things.  The 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  * 83 

Ambassador  declared  himself  a stranger  to 
the  plot,  and  added  that  none  connected  with 
himself  should,  with  his  knowledge  take 
part  in  the  proceedings ; and  that  it  was 
right  and  just  that  the  Pope  should  maintain 
public  tranquility,  even  by  force  of  arms. 

The  Cardinal,  reassured  by  these  words,  re- 
doubled his  vigilance,  and  used  every  meas- 
,ure  in  his  power  to  avert  the  project  of  the 
conspirators.  Events  soon  proved  what  an 
unworthy  part  the  French  Ambassador  had 
played.  Skirmishing  had  already  com- 
menced ; the  pontifical  troops  had  been  fired 
on,  and  at  the  same  time,  a band  of  young 
Frenchmen  came  to  aid  the  Ambassador,  and 
were  joined  by  a number  of  conspirators 
from  the  palace  of  the  Ambassador  himself. 
An  harangue  was  commenced  in  favor  of 
the  revolution  that  they  meditated ; they  vil- 
lifled  the  Holy  Father  and  his  government, 
and  invited  their  auditors  to  shake  off  the 
yoke  of  sacerdotal  tyranny. 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


84  * 

Joseph  Bonaparte  appeared  to  encourage 
the  seditions  by  his  appearance  on  the  bal- 
cony, General  Duphot  put  himself  at  the 
head  of  a company  marching  towards  the  Ti- 
ber. The  air  resounded  with  the  cries  of 
Liberty  and  Equality ! 

The  inoffensive  inhabitants,  who  had  as* 
sembled  from  curiosity,  seeing  this  turn  of 
affairs,  dispersed;  and  Joseph,  perceiving  that 
the  Romans  did  not  second  his  projects,  de- 
scended into  the  street  to  entreat  his  future 
brother-in-law  to  desist  from  his  enterprise. 
Duphot  paid  no  attention  to  these  observa- 
tions, but  marched  on,  armed  with  sword  and 
pistol;  the  Ambassador  remained  with  the 
conspirators. 

Duphot  approached  the  Porta  Septima, 
which  was  guarded  by  a small  number  of 
soldiers,  commanded  by  Marinelli,  a firm  and 
resolute  man.  On  seeing  them  advance,  Ma- 
rinelli ordered  the  rebels  to  disperse.  The 
conspirators  did  but  quicken  their  steps.  Du- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  85 

phot  brandished  his  sabre  and  continued  his 
march.  “ Halt,  and  lower  your  arms  !”  cried 
the  commander,  for  the  third  time.  Seeing 
the  conspirators  advancing,  in  the  hopes  of 
surrounding  his  little  band,  he  ordered  them 
to  fire. 

Duphot,  at  the  head  of  his  band,  received 
a wound  that  resulted  in  instant  death.  His 
adherents,  struck  with  terror,  fled  to  the  paL 
ace  of  the  Ambassador.  Joseph,  finding 
himself  surrounded  by  the  conspirators,  en- 
deavored to  escape,  but  the  entrance  to  his 
palace  was  so  obstructed  that  he  could  not 
enter;  he  reached  in  haste  a neighboring 
street,  and  at  last  gained  access  to  his  palace. 

Joseph,  on  entering  his  palace,  discharged 
his  indignation  against  the  republicans,  and 
forced  them  to  seek  an  asylum  elsewhere. 
Frightened  by  the  danger  through  which  he 
had  passed,  and  the  non-success  of  the  enter- 
prise, and  moved  by  the  grief  of  his  sister  at 

the  loss  of  Duphot,  he  addressed  a note  to 
8 


86 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


the  Cardinal  Secretary^  eagerly  soliciting  a 
passport,  authorising  him  to  depart  immedi- 
ately for  Paris. 

This  event  caused  the  Cardinal  much  un- 
easiness. He  foresaw  the  conclusions  that 
the  enemies  of  the  Holy  See  would  draw 
from  the  death  of  the  General,  and  that  they 
would  avenge  themselves  on  the  Pope  on  oc- 
count  of  the  catastrophe,  that  the  Pope  had 
not  the  power  to  prevent.  The  Cardinal,  in 
great  trepidation,  wrote  two  notes  to  Joseph 
Bonaparte,  by  which  he  sought  to  mollify 
him,  but  which  served  rather  to  compromise 
the  pontifical  government. 

The  plan  of  Bonaparte  was  arrested:  he 
was  ashamed  of  the  part  that  he  had  played, 
and  knew  that  to  abide  in  Kome  was  no 
longer  possible.  He  departed  suddenly  with 
his  family,  and  presented  himself  before  the 
Directory  to  give  an  account  of  his  acts,  and 
of  all  that  he  had  witnessed,  and  to  disparag  \ 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  87 

as  much  as  possible,  the  government  of  the 
Holy  Pontiff. 

His  Holiness  had  not  entirely  recovered 
his  health  when  these  sad  events  took  place. 
He  foresaw  that  the  death  of  General  Duphot 
would  bring  fresh  misfortunes  on  the  Church 
and  himself.  He  blamed  severely  the  conde- 
scendence of  his  minister,  in  his  last  relations 
with  the  ambassador,  who  had  prescribed  the 
wisest  measures  to  render  the  French  who 
were  in  Rome  secure,  and  to  guarantee  the 
palace  of  the  ambassador  from  the  attacks  of 
an  outraged  and  insulted  people. 

One  can  easily  imagine  the  critical  situation 
in  which  the  Holy  Father  found  himself.  The 
Directory  commenced  by  arresting  the  Mar- 
quis Massini,  the  Pope’s  minister  at  Paris. 
His  papers  were  minutely  examined,  and 
though  they  contained  nothing  that  could 
compromise  him,  he  was  kept  for  a long  time 
a close  prisoner.  They  decreed,  then,  in  the 


88 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


name  of  tne  republic,  that  vengeance  should 
fall  ori  the  Court  of  Eome. 

On  the  29th  of  January  General  Berthier 
advanced,  at  the  head  of  an  army,  towards 
Eome,  and  published  at  Ancona  the  following 
proclamation: — ‘‘The  Government  of  Eome 
is  guilty  of  the  basest  of  all  crimes — it  has 
been  the  cause  of  the  massacre  of  our  com- 
panion in  glory,  the  brave  Duphot.  It  has 
forgotten  the  respect  due  the  ambassador  of 
the  French.  March,  brave  soldiers,  and  think 
only  of  avenging  this  horrible  outrage,  and 
of  punishing  the  Eoman  Government  and  its 
vile  assassins.  The  Eoman  people  are  inno- 
cent: they  will  find  in  the  army  protection 
and  friendship.  The  French  government 
wishes,  and  we  honor  the  command,  that 
their  persons,  property,  services  and  temples 
be  respected.  Pillage  will  be  severely  plan- 
ished. Yes,  valiant  brothers  in  arms,  we 
will  be  true  to  ourselves.” 

Notwithstanding  the  tone  of  this  procla- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  89 

mation,  the  Eomaa  Government  had  every 
reason  to  believe  that  the  French  did  not 
intend  to  overthrow  the  temporal  power,  as 
the  Pope  had  received  assurances  to  this 
effect  from  the  diplomatic  body. 

Pius  YI.  sent  deputies  to  the  chief,  to  in- 
quire his  intention,  etc.  Berthier  insolently 
replied,  that  he  had  decided  not  to  make 
known  the  intentions  of  the  Directory  until 
he  should  have  arrived  at  the  gates  of  Eome. 

As  the  army  neared  the  city  of  Eome,  the 
proclamation  of  the  General  became  more 
menacing,  and  more  hostile  to  the  papal 
government.  The  sentiments  of  the  Directory 
could  no  longer  be  concealed : it  was  plain 
that  the  Eepublic,  if  possible,  was  to  be 
founded  on  the  ruins  of  the  pontifical  throne. 

The  venerable  Pontiff  preserved  an  unal- 
terable serenity,  and  allowed  nothing  to  shake 
his  determination.  He  knew  that  his  with- 
drawal from  Eome,  to  which  he  had  been 

advised,  would  facilitate  the  execution  of  the 
8* 


90 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


projects  of  the  French  General.  He  boldly 
declared  that  he  had  to  act,  not  only  as  tem- 
poral prince  of  Eome,  but  as  head  of  the 
Church.  “ I will  strengthen  my  brethren  by 
my  example,”  said  he;  “and  I will  teach 
them  that  the  flock  should  be  carefully 
guarded  when  menaced  by  the  fury  of  the 
wolf.” 

He  protested  that  he  was  resigned  to  sub- 
mit to  any  trials,  but  that  he  would  not  favor 
in  the  least  any  changes  that  might  result 
from  the  resolution  prepared  by  his  enemies. 

Pius  VI.  communicated  his  determination 
officially  to  Cardinal  Alban  i,  recommended 
him  not  to  leave  Eome,  and  to  exhort  the 
other  Cardinals  to  the  same  course  of  con- 
duct. 

This  determination  of  the  Holy  Father 
baffled  the  measures  of  the  General,  who 
counted  on  his  departure.  Napoleon  had 
written  to  Berthier,  on  the  11th  of  January, 
to  march  on  Eome,  disguising  his  designs, 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  91 

and  carefully  concealing  the  projects  of  the 
Directory.  “ When  you  shall  arrive  within 
two  days’  journey  of  Eome,  proclaim  that 
the  Pope  and  all  the  officers  of  his  govern- 
ment are  guilty  of  the  most  criminal  outrage, 
so  as  to  frighten  them  and  cause  them  to  take 
flight.  If,  according  to  the  desires  of  the 
Directory  you  arrive  in  Eome,  use  all  your 
influence  to  found  the  Eoman  Eepublic,  but 
let  it  not  be  apparent  that  this  project  is  in- 
stigated by  our  government.” 

Berthier,  seeing  the  perseverance  of  His 
Holiness,  had  recourse  to  the  minister  of 
Spain,  Azzarra.  The  latter  repaired  to  the 
rendezvous  of  the  French,  and  received  his 
instructions  from  Berthier.  From  thence  he 
returned  to  Eome  as  a devoted  friend  of  the 
papacy ! The  General,  he  informed  the  Holy 
Father,  had  no  other  intention  than  to  exact 
the  satisfaction  required  by  his  government. 
That  the  entrance  and  abode  of  the  French 
would  be  peaceful;  and  that  all  that  was 


92 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


necessan^  to  be  done  was  to  receive  the 
French  with  marks  of  friendship  and  esteem. 

The  Pope  was  not  deceived  by  these  false 
expressions.  On  the  10th  of  February  Ber* 
thier  halted,  and  established  his  head-quarters 
on  Mount  Marius,  in  the  hopes  of  seeing  the 
Komans  flock  to  him  in  crowds,  after  the 
manoeuvres  he  had  employed  to  seduce  them. 
His  expectations  were  disappointed.  Sad- 
ness, silence,  and  anxiety  reigned,  and  he 
received  but  one  single  visit.  The  Pope  sent 
a deputation  to  Berthier,  consisting  of  the 
Duke  Braschi  and  several  Eoman  nobles,  to 
compliment  and  offer  him  provisions.  Ber- 
thier appeared  sensible  to  this  kindness,  spoke 
of  His  Holiness  in  complimentary  terms,  and 
embraced  the  duke  with  seeming  warmth. 

Almost  at  the  same  instant,  he  ordered  the 
Holy  Pontiff  to  deliver  up  the  Castle  of  St. 
Angelo ; and  informed  him  that  in  case  of  a 
refusal  hostilities  should  commence.  The 
Pope  had  no  possible  means  of  resistance. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  93 

The  republican  troops  took  immediate  pos- 
session of  the  Castle.  Berthier  then  mad© 
known  the  intentions  of  the  Directory — in- 
tentions the  most  humiliating  and  exorbi- 
tant, w^hich  had  but  this  end — the  overthrow 
of  the  pontifical  government,  and  its  delivery 
into  the  hands  of  its  enemies. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  contrary  to  all 
promises,  several  of  the  French  battalions 
invaded  Eome,  and  took  possession  of  the 
Quirinal:  cannon  were  pointed  in  different 
quarters  of  the  city;  and  it  could  be  said, 
with  truth,  that  the  French  were  masters  of 
the  city. 

The  authors  of  the  disturbances,  assured 
of  the  protection  of  the  French,  labored  as- 
siduously to  enslave  the  people.  A liberty 
pole  was  set  up,  but  on  the  recriminations  of 
the  Sovereign  Pontiff*,  Berthier  disowned  all 
participation  in  the  act,  and  the  pole  was 
taken  down  by  order  of  Government. 

Berthier  proclaimed,  on  the  12th  of  Febru- 


94 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


ary,  that  he  had  issued  orders  that  the  priests, 
churches,  and  all  religious  ceremonies  should 
be  scrupulously  respected.  He  announced 
that  he  had  caused  to  be  expelled  from  the 
army  Lanteres,  one  of  the  artillerymen,  who 
had  acted  unbecomingly  in  church. 

Such  were  the  outward  acts  of  the  General 
— acts  performed  only  to  conceal  his  plans. 
He  required  the  disbanding  of  the  militia,  so 
that  it  might  be  reorganized,  and  the  officers 
chosen  from  the  republicans.  The  Pope’s 
Council  had  been  dissolved,  his  Cardinals  and 
most  zealous  officers  had  been  individually 
obliged  to  fly  from  Eome,  and  the  dependants 
of  the  Directory  were  introduced  into  the 
State  Government. 

All  the  measures  of  the  Holy  Pontiff  were 
paralyzed;  his  steps  were  watched,  and  his 
councils  attended  by  appointed  conspirators, 
to  render  an  account  to  the  French  General 
of  his  resolutions  and  projects. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  ^5 

Such  a state  of  things  could  not  long  exist. 
The  French,  in  concert  with  the  rebels  of  the 
interior,  judged  that  the  moment  had  arrived 
for  the  master-stroke.  The  day  was  chosen  ; 
it  was  that  of  the  anniversary  of  the  election 
of  Pius  YI. 

Infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillerymen  ranged 
themselves  before  the  palace ; crowds  of  dis- 
orderly men  joined  the  ranks  of  the  French- 
Soon  after,  General  Oervoni,  accompanied  by 
a great  number  of  French  and  of  Romans 
— traitors  to  their  oaths — joined  the  immense 
mass. 

Then  one  of  the  chiefs  addressed  the  muL 
titude.  “ Do  you  wish,”  said  he,  to  throw 
off  the  yoke  of  the  tyrant  ? do  you  wish  to 
recover  your  rights  ?”  “ Yes  ! yes  I we  wish 

it.  Liberty  or  death  !” 

The  discourse  was  terminated  by  the  an- 
nouneement  that  the  temporal  power  of  the 
Pope  had  ceased  to  exist,  but  that  they  would 


96 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


preserve  intact  the  religion  of  their  fatliers, 
and  maintain  the  spiritual  authority  of  the 
Pope. 

At  the  time  that  these  scenes  of  disorder 
were  being  enacted,  an  incident  happened 
that  portrayed  the  character  of  the  Eomans, 
even  those  in  the  pay  of  these  disturbers  of 
the  public  tranquility.  The  bells  of  the 
churches  having  sounded  the  Angelus  at  the 
moment  of  the  revolutionary  harangue,  a 
large  number  of  the  auditors  bared  their 
heads,  and  recited  the  prayer  .according  to 
the  ancient  custom. 

Berthier  was  informed  of  all  that  had  tran- 
spired, and  immediately  prepared  to  join  his 
companions;  arrived  in  front  of  the  liberty 
pole,  he  saluted  it  respectfully.  “ Shade  of 
Pompey,”  exclaimed  he;  shade  of  Cato,  of 
Brutus,  of  Cicero,  receive  the  homage  of  Ub 
erated  Frenchmen  in  the  capital,  where  you 
have  so  often  defended  the  rights  of  the  illus- 
trious Romans.  The  children  of  Gaul  assem- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


97 


ble  in  this  august  place,  to- erect  again  the 
altars  of  liberty.  And  you,  Komans,  who 
come  to  regain  your  legitimate  rights,  recall 
to  mind  the  blood  that  courses  through  your 
veins : cast  your  eyes  on  the  glorious  monu- 
ments by  which  you  are  surrounded : recall 
your  ancient  grandeur  and  the  virtues  of 
your  fathers.” 

Pius  VI.,  informed  of  these  sad  events, 
listened  to  the  recital  of  them,  manifesting 
the  most  profound  submission  to  the  will  of 
God.  Shortly  after  Cervoni  announced  that 
he  had  orders  to  speak  with  the  Pope. 

The  Pope  ordered  that  the  General  should 
be  admitted.  The  grave  and  majestic  mein 
of  the  Pontiff  appeared  somewhat  to  confuse 
the  General.  Words  failed  him,  and  in  a 
hesitating  voice  he  commenced — “I  come. 

Holy  Father I greatly  regret  disturbing 

your  Holiness.  ....  Obedience  obliges 
me ” 

“ Proceed,  Monsieur,”  said  Pius  VI. ; “ ac- 


98 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


quit  yourself  of  your  commission;  we  are 
prepared  for  any  thing.” 

Cervoni  then  announced  that  the  Catholic 
form  of  worship  would  not  be  interfered  with ; 
that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  new  gov  jrn- 
ment  to  preserve,  in  all  its  integrity,  the  spir- 
itual authority  of  the  visible  head  of  the 
Church ” 

‘‘Monsieur,”  said  the  Pope,  with  dignity, 
“ this  authority  has  been  given  us  from  God, 
and  no  human  power  can  wrest  it  from  us. 
Proceed.” 

Cervoni  then  undertook  the  justification 
of  Berthier;  he  stated  that  the  army  only 
desired  to  restore  liberty,  and  that  since  the 
Eomans  had  united  their  efforts  with  those 
of  the  French,  he  would  inform  His  Holiness 
that  his  temporal  power  had  ceased  to  exist ; 
that  the  new  Eepublic  would  insure  him  his 
expenses,  and  a guard  sufficient  for  his  per- 
rson,  and  the  Vatican. 

The  General  seemed  disposed  to  continue 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


99 


his  conversation;  but  Pius  YI.,  raising  his 
hands  and  eyes  to  heaven,  exclaimed,  “I 
adore  the  decrees  of  Providence.  I am  not 
ignorant  of  the  means  that  have  been  em- 
ployed against  me.  I can  dissimulate  no 
longer.  Justice  and  right  are.  oppressed  by 
force.  In  my  relations  with  the  French  Gov- 
ernment I have  been  frank  and  loyal.  My 
fidelity  in  performing  all  the  requirements  of 
the  onerous  treaty  of  Tolentino  should  have 
spared  me  these  hostile  proceedings.  Forti- 
fied by  my  conscience — full  of  confidence  in 
the  protection  of  Heaven — I await  what  re- 
gards me  personally  with  perfect  tranquil- 
lity.’' 

He  then  added  that  all  that  he  desired  was, 
that  religion  should  be  really  respected ; that 
the  spiritual  government  of  the  Church 
should  not  be  interfered  with ; that  the  re- 
publicans should  abstain  from  bloodshed  and 
from  the  persecution  of  those  who  had  served 
the  pontifical  government  with  honor  and 


100  PONTIFICATE,  ETC. 

fidelity.  He  then  politely  dismissed  the  Gen- 
eral. 

These  promises  of  Cervoni  were  never  rati- 
fied. Berthier  disarmed  the  Papal  militia, 
and  created  a new  government. 


IV. 

The  Pope,  humiliated,  persecuted,  de- 
prived of  his  authority,  still  appeared  a for- 
midable power  in  the  eyes  of  the  republicans. 
They  wished  to  force  him  to  leave  Eome, 
through  the  means  of  insults  and  vexations ; 
they  feared  that  an  exile  imposed  by  violence 
would  have  too  much  the  appearance  of  a 
manifest  violation  of  their  oft-repeated  prom- 
ises. 

On  the  17th  of  February,  Haller,  an  inso- 
lent banker,  and  afterwards  treasurer  of  the 
French  army,  repaired  to  the  Vatican  and 
audaciously  placed  the  seal  of  the  republic  on 
all  that  belonged  to  Pius  VI,  Finding  the 
door  of  one  apartment  closed,  he  threatened 
to  break  it  open ; and  when  some  one  ob- 
served to  him  that  the  Holy  Father  always 
9* 


102 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


kept  the  key,  “ Go,’'  said  he,  “ and  bring  the 
key  to  me ; otherwise,  I shall  burst  it  open. 

When  the  imperious  demand  was  made 
known  to  His  Holin  ess.  notwithstanding  the 
grossness  of  the  insult,  he  sent  him  the 
key. 

The  avaricious  Haller  could  not  satisfy  his 
rapacity.  He  seized  on  everything,  costly 
articles  and  those  of  little  value ; he  impu- 
dently penetrated  into  the  eating-hall,  v/here 
he  found  the  Pope.  He  perceived  on  the 
table  a beautiful  little  casket.  “ This  casket,” 
said  he,  addressing  His  Holiness,  “ does  it 
contain  your  jewels  ?”  “ Monsieur,”  said  he, 
“this  casket  contains  but  a few  biscuits;” 
then  turning  to  his  steward,  he  added,  “hand 
these  biscuits  to  Monsieur.”  Haller,  in  no 
wise  abashed,  accepted  them.  He  then  ad- 
vanced towards  His  Holiness  and  informed 
him  that  the  Eoman  republic  had  charge  of 
the  palace  that  he  occupied;  that  he  had 
fears  for  his  safety,  if  he  remained  in  Eome, 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  103 

and  that  it  would  be  better  for  him  to  secure 
his  liberty  by  leaving  immediately. 

Pius  VI.  replied  to  this  unexpected  dis- 
course : ‘‘We  inhabit  but  a small  portion  of 
this  vast  edifice ; the  remaining  apartments 
are  in  the  power  of  the  French,  As  for  our 
personal  security,  we  have  nothing  to  fear 
from  the  Eoman  people.  As  visible  Head  of 
the  Church,  we  have  many  duties  to  fulfill, 
and  we  shall  never  willingly  abandon  the 
See  of  St.  Peter. 

This  mild  and  firm  reply  disconcerted  the 
French  Commissioner;  but  that  which  he 
most  wished  to  obtain  was  the  possession  of 
the  costly  and  rare  ornaments.  He  called 
particularly  for  those  of  the  sanctuary  of  Lo- 
retto.  “ Monsieur,’’  replied  the  Holy  Father, 
“ you  are  not  ignorant  that  the  wealth  of  Lo- 
retto,  and  that  of  our  numerous  palaces,  has 
been  remitted  to  the  French  ; and  since  you 
have  scrupulously  examined  every  thing,  you 
should  be  satisfied  that  nothing  of  value  re- 


104  PONTIFICATE  AND 

mains  with  ns.’’  “ I beg  pardon,”  said  Hal- 

ler, “I  have  not  yet  visited  your  sleeping 
apartment.” 

Pius  YI.  rose  majestically  from  the  table, 
conducted  him  to  his  chamber,  and  showed 
him  that  nothing  remained  that  was  valuable 
with  the  exception  of  a diamond  ring.  He 
drew  it  from  the  box,  saying,  “ Behold  the 
only  valuable  in  our  possession ; but  of  this 
we  are  not  the  owner.  We  have  received  it 
from  our  predecessors,  and  we  shall  leave  it 
to  the  successor  whom  God  may  give  us.  He 
then  replaced  it  in  the  box,  and  Haller  de- 
parted in  silence. 

Some  hours  after,  the  Cardinal  Doria  re- 
ceived orders  from  the  French  commander  to 
inform  the  Pope  that  he  must  leave  Borne ; 
that  the  resolution  was  irrevocable ; that  no 
excuse  would  be  listened  to  and  no  delay 
granted ; that  should  he  resist,  he  would  be 
forcibly  removed,  and  his  place  of  residence 
decided  on  by  the  French  government. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  106 

The  Cardinal  performed  his  painful  mis- 
sion, and  held  a lengthy  conversation  with 
His  Holiness.  The  Holy  Father  concluded 
to  retire  to  Florence.  The  French  command- 
er fixed  the  night  of  the  20th  of  February 
for  his  departure.  The  night  was  dark  and 
cloudy ; the  French  infantry  and  cavalry  cir- 
culated through  the  streets  surrounding  the 
Vatican;  a mournful  silence  prevailed.  Two 
carriages  sufficed  for  His  Holiness  and  suite. 

It  was  three  o’clock  in  the  morning.  The 
Holy  Father,  dressed  in  his  white  had 

already  heard  Mass,  on  his  knees,  in  his  own 
chapel,  with  the  profound  piety  that  charac- 
terized him.  On  leaving  the  chapel,  he  took 
with  him  his  royal  mantle  and  pontifical  hat, 
together  with  the  cane  that  he  generally  used 
in  his  promenades ; he  then  advanced  towards 
his  carriage,  in  which,  when  seated,  he  was 
surrounded  by  the  French  dragoons.  They 
hurried  his  departure ; and  the  Holy  Father, 
his  hands  extended  towards  the  dome  of  St. 


106 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


Peter,  whicli  lie  never  expected  to  behold 
again,  departed. 

The  departure  of  the  Pope  was  the  signal 
for  new  depredations.  The  French  Commis- 
sioners hastened  to  the  Vatican  and  purloined 
every  thing  that  was  valuable.  Nothing  was 
respected.  Chalices,  ciboriums,  lamps,  chas- 
ubles, stoles,  veils  and  medals  were  all  car- 
ried off.  The  French  agents  showed  them- 
selves as  rapacious  as  the  Vandals.  This  su- 
perb residence  of  the  Eoman  Pontiff,  in 
which  had  been  preserved  the  chefs-cPceuvres 
of  Eaphael  and  Michael  Angelo,  and  all  the 
curiosities  of  Greece  and  Italy,  presented  the 
sad  spectacle  of  a devastated  dwelling — ^the 
work  of  a much  vaunted  civilization. 

The  property  of  convents  was  not  in  the 
least  respected.  The  rapacity  of  the  mob 
was  so  great  that  the  officers  of  the  French 
army,  who  still  retained  some  sentiments  of 
honor,  addressed  this  energetic  protestation 
to  Massena,  who  had  succeeded  Berthier : 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  107 

“ Citizen  General,  the  rapid  march  of  the 
army  of  Italy  towards  Kome,  to  avenge  the 
assassination  of  General  Duphot,  gives  proof 
of  the  eagerness  of  the  French  to  sacrifice 
themselves  for  the  liberty,  prosperity  and 
honor  of  their  country.  But  events  that 
have  happened,  have  caused  us  great  aston- 
ishment. Men,  in  the  pay  of  the  govern- 
ment, have  entered  the  palaces  and  mansions, 
and  without  any  formality,  have  taken  off  all 
that  was  valuable  and  above  price.  Offences 
such  as  these  should  not  remain  unpunished ; 
they  cry  for  vengeance ; they  dishonor  the 
French  name,  that  should  be  respected  now, 
more  than  ever,  by  the  universe. 

“ Yes,  we  swear  before  the  Eternal,  in  this 
temple  in  which  we  are  assembled,  that  we 
totally  disapprove  of  all  that  has  happened ! 
We  demand  that  the  officers  and  soldiers  be 
deprived  of  their  pay;  we  demand  also  that 
the  valuable  articles  that  have  been  carried 
off,  under  divers  pretexts,  from  the  palaces 
and  churches,  and  that  belong  to  the  nation, 
with  whom  we  are  in  peace,  should  be  re- 
turned, or  rather  that  the  edifices  should  be 
restored  to  the  same  state  in  which  we  found 
them  on  our  entrance  into  Rome. 

“We  persist  in  exacting  vengeance  for  the 
robberies  committed,  and  on  the  corrupt  ad- 
ministrators, plunged  day  and  night  in  lux- 
ury and  debauch. 


108 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


“ Citizen  General,  you  have  authority ; you 
can  punish  the  authors  of  these  excesses.  We 
wish  to  believe  your  conduct  irreproachable  ; 
your  future  measures  relative  to  this  affair 
will  decide  our  opinion. 

‘‘  That  the  principles  professed  by  us  may 
be  known,  we  demand  that  a copy  of  the 
proclamation  be  addressed  to  the  Directory; 
that  it  shall  be  inserted  in  the  French  jour- 
nals, and  also  be  published  in  Borne,  so  that 
the  Eoman  people  may  know  that  we  are 
guiltless  of  the  excesses  committed  ; and  fur 
thermore  will  add,  that  if  you.  Citizen  Gene- 
lal,  desire  our  esteem,  prompt  and  speedy 
justice  must  be  rendered.” 

Massena  was  not  disposed  to  cause  the  ces- 
sation of  these  vexations;  he  resolved  to 
withdraw  from  Borne  a portion  of  his  troops. 
When  the  news  spread  in  Borne,  they  per- 
ceived the  difficulty  of  shaking  off  the  iron 
yoke  under  which  they  groaned.  The  peo- 
ple rose  in  arms. 

Massena,  fearing  greater  seditions,  resigned 
his  command  to  General  Dallemange  and  left 
Borne.  The  Head  of  the  Church  attacked, 
his  flock  were  not  spared.  The  Cardinals 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VT.  109 

were  included  in  the  common  proscription. 
The  property  of  Cardinal  Braschi  was  confis- 
cated; Cardinals  Alboni  and  Busca  suffered 
in  the  same  way ; Cardinal  Pignatelli  fled  to 
Naples,  and  Cardinal  Archinto  to  Tuscany ; 
Cardinal  Archetti  attempted  to  escape,  but 
was  brought  back  to  Eome ; Cardinal  Gerdil, 
one  of  the  lights  of  the  Sacred  College,  and 
not  less  remarkable  for  the  simplicity  of  his 
manners  and  piety  than  for  his  knowledge 
and  zeal,  withdrew  to  the  King  of  Sardinia, 
to  whom  he  had  been  preceptor.  If  he  was 
spared,  it  was  for  the  reason  that  his  extreme- 
ly simple  manner  of  living  gave  evidence  to 
all  that  it  was  entirely  out  of  his  power  to 
ransom  himself.  Cardinal  Rinuccini  saw  his 
property  confiscated  ; Cardinal  Mattel  was 
banished  and  deprived  of  his  wealth  also. 

The  remainder  of  the  Cardinals  were 
mostly  confined  in  a convent  in  Rome.. 
Among  the  number  were  Cardinals  Doriav 
Secretary  of  State,  who  refused  to  fly,  wish- 


no 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


ing  to  share  the  fate  of  his  companions ; Car- 
dinal Antonelli,  one  of  the  most  learned  and 
pious  members  of  the  Sacred  College ; Car- 
dinal Della  Sornaglia,  most  esteemed  for  his 
qualities  and  character ; Cardinal  Borgia,  re- 
markable for  his  talents  and  taste  for  science, 
and  distinguished  above  all  for  his  zeal  in  the 
Propagation  of  the  Faith,  an  object  to  which 
he  consecrated  the  greater  portion  of  his  reve- 
nues ; and  Cardinal  Eoverella,  who  joined 
to  the  mildest  manners  a highly  cultivated 
mind. 

After  long  imprisonment  in  Eome,  they 
were  transferred  to  Civita  Vecchia.  The 
French  at  first  thought  of  banishing  the  Car- 
dinals to  some  distant  isle^  but  as  they  had 
despoiled  them  of  everything,  they  were  at 
last  permitted  to  seek  an  asylum  out  of  Eome. 
They  retired  to  Naples  and  Venice.  The 
Prelates  attached  to  the  Holy  See  were  not 
better  treated.  Several  of  the  Bishops  in  the 
Pope’s  dominions  were  banished  or  iinpris- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  Ill 

oned.  Thus  the  Catholic  Church,  attacked 
on  every  side,  suffered  an  unjust  and  odious 
persecution. 

The  republicans  employed  themselves  in 
singing  odes  to  liberty,  forming  processions, 
and  invoking  the  names  of  Cato  and  Brutus. 

The  Pope  was  now  in  his  eighty-first  year. 
The  fatigue  of  the  journey,  his  recent  illness, 
and  the  dangers  to  which  he  had  been  ex- 
posed, rendered  his  situation  most  distressing. 
On  the  first  day  of  his  journey,  his  strength 
was  so  utterly  prostrated  that  he  was  near  ex- 
piring ; he  had  not  the  strength  to  descend 
from  his  carriage ; four  of  his  servitors  were 
obliged  to  lift  him  from  his  coach  and  place 
him  on  a bed.  The  next  day,  Pius  VL,  hav- 
ing taken  a little  repose,  proceeded  on  his 
journey. 

The  cold  was  excessive,  and  soon  the  snow 
commenced  to  fall.  Bnt  even  in  the  midst 
of  these  sufferings,  the  heart  of  the  pious 
Pontiff  experienced  sweet  consolation;  for. 


112 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


notwithstanding  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather,  the  roads  were  crowded  with  the 
faithful.  On  approaching  Viterbo,  the  pious 
multitude  loudly  demanded  the  benediction 
of  the  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ.  . 

The  streets  of  Viterbo  were  so  filled  that 
the  carriage  of  His  Holiness  could  scarcely 
pass.  The  next  day,  by  dawn,  the  public 
places  were  filled  to  overflowing.  Pius  VL, 
who  had  commenced  his  journey  after  assist- 
ing at  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  now  appeared  on 
the  balcony,  and  giving  his  benediction  to 
the  multitude,  with  one  accord  they  all 
prayed  for  the  Sovereign  Pontiff. 

Before  leaving  Viterbo,  Pius  VI.  visited 
the  tomb  of  St.  Eose.  He  prayed  long  be- 
fore the  holy  relic,  and  opening  the  shrine, 
kissed  one  of  the  hands  several  times. 

At  Montefiascona,  he  was  greeted  by  the 
cries  and  shouts  of  the  inhabitants.  Several 
French  priests  entered  the  city  at  the  same 
time,  who,  by  the  orders  of  Berthier,  had  been 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  11b 

forced  to  quit  the  asylums  that  the}^  had 
found  in  the  pontifical  states.  One  of  them 
expressed  his  admiration  of  the  patience  of 
the  Holy  Father,  who  bore  so  well  his  many 
misfortunes.  “We  are  well,  very  well,’’  said 
the  Pope,  with  perfect  serenity,  “ and  would 
only  say  to  you,  estate  fortes  in  jideJ^ 

At  Bologna,  the  exasperation  of  the  pea 
pie  increased,  and  they  threatened  to  take  ex 
treme  measures  against  the  French  Commis- 
saries. The  Holy  Father  had  passed  through 
his  states,  and  now  arrived  in  Tuscany.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  country  manifested  for 
him  the  same  dispositions  of  attachment  and 
veneration,  but  policy  had  hardened  the 
hearts  of  the  authorities.  The  Grand  Duke, 
fearing  to  make  the  least  demonstration  that 
might  give  displeasure  to  France,  ordered 
that  no  public  honor  should  be  rendered  to 
the  Holy  Father. 

From  the  same  spirit  of  timidity,  he  gave 
orders  that  His  Holiness  should  be  received 


114 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


at  Sienna.  The  Angustinian  convent  was 
destined  as  his  dwelling  place.  He  arrived 
at  Sienna,  a little  aft^r  midnight,  on  the  25th 
of  February.  The  sentinel  demanded,  “ Whc 
goes  there?”  “ The  Pope,’^  replied  the  stew- 
ard. Immediately  the  soldiers  fell  on  theii 
knees ; the  stern  orders  of  government  could 
not  prevent  this  mark  of  respect.  Many,  in 
order  to  approach  the  venerable  Pontiff  still 
nearer,  exposed  themselves  to  the  danger  of 
being  trampled  to  death  by  the  horses,  or  to 
be  crushed  to  death  by  the  carriage  wheels. 
One  of  the  Prelates,  having  warned  them  of 
their  danger,  “ Oh,’^  said  they,  “ it  will  be 
sweet  to  die  whilst  gazing  on  and  venerating 
the  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ.” 

The  Governor  of  Sienna,  entertaining  the 
same  views  as  those  held  by  the  Court  of 
Tuscany,  abstained  from  all  public  demon- 
strations, but  came  to  present  his  respects 
and  homage  to  His  Holiness.  The  Grand 
Duke  Ferdinand  III.,  sent  his  major-domo  to 


CAPTIVITY  OP  PIUS  YI.  116 

be  tbe  bearer  of  respects  and  higb  vene- 
ration. 

The  Holy  Father  was  aware  that  this  step 
would  compromise  the  position  of  Ferdinand, 
and  said  that  he  willingly  consented  to  re- 
main in  Sienna.  He  presented  the  Envoy  of 
the  Grand  Duke  with  a cornelian  box,  say- 
ing graciously,  “ Monsieur,  it  is  a small  gift, 
but  it  is  all  that  remains  to  us  of  our  former 
wealth.” 


sn 


’df 

'K- 


')T  ‘T  ‘ ';  'jH 


h ! 


rff 


,;:1^  ' ' ‘ -'i 


The  Holy  Father  was  not  cast  down  by 
his  misfortunes.  Notwithstanding  his  ad- 
vanced age,  and  the  difficulties  of  all  kinds 
that  he  had  to  contend  with,  he  preserved  a 
mild  serenity. 

From  Sienna,  he  wrote  to  the  different 
powers  of  Europe,  to  inform  them  of  the  sit- 
uation to  which  he  was  reduced,  and  the  spo- 
liation to  which  he  had  been  subjected.  Each 
government,  occupied  in  its  own  preserva- 
tion, and  fearing  the  victorious  arms  of  the 
French,  seemed  to  take  but  little  interest  in 
the  sufferings  of  the  Church  and  her  supreme 
Pastor. 

Eepresentatives  were  sent  the  Holy  Father 

only  from  the  Courts  of  Savoy  and  Portugal* 

The  Grand  Duke  did  not  authorize  their  so- 
il? 


118 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


journing  in  Sienna,  and  they  were  compelled 
'to  reside  in  Florence.  The  pious  King  of 
Sardinia,  though  oppressed  by  the  French 
Eepublic,  and  on  the  point  of  being  driven 
fiom  his  states,  wrote  to  Pius  VI.  a letter, 
bearing  testimony  of  his  affection  and  good 
will.  The  English  Cabinet  ordered  its  resi- 
dent minister  at  Florence  to  aid  and  assist 
the  Pope  ; and  Paul  I.,  of  Eussia,  made 
known  the  indignation  that  he  had  felt  on 
learning  the  outrages  to  which  the  person  of 
the  Pope  had  been  exposed. 

His  life  in  Sienna  was  most  edifying  and 
regular.  He  performed  his  devotions  in  his 
own  chamber,  and  then  repaired  to  the  chapel, 
where  he  heard  Mass.  Often,  and  particular- 
ly on  feast  days,  he  celebrated  the  Holy  Sac- 
rifice before  hearing  Mass  in  the  chapel.  He 
ate  sparingly,  and  always  dined  alone ; occu- 
pied himself  with  the  affairs  of  the  Church, 
and  supported  his  misfortunes  with  a courage 
beyond  expression.  He  found  strength  in 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  119 

his  submission  lo  the  holy  will  of  God.  It 
was  his  support  and  consolation.  Never  was 
he  heard  to  complain  of  his  misfortunes. 
Resigned  as  he  was  to  the  decrees  of  Provi- 
dence, he  returned  thanks  that  so  peaceful 
an  asylum  had  been  offered  him,  among  a 
people  so  kind,  affectionate  and  devoted  to 
their  religion. 

But  these  advantages  were  to  be  of  short 
duration.  The  inhabitants  of  some  of  the 
Pope’s  former  provinces,  unable  to  support 
longer  the  burdensome  yoke,  threw  it  off,  by 
revoking  against  the  democratic  domination 
which  appeared  so  heavy,  contrasted  with  the 
paternal  authority  of  the  holy  Pontiff.  These 
attempts  only  caused  an  increase  of  oppress- 
ion. The  revolt  was  soon  suppressed,  and 
the  French  authorities  profited  by  this  cir- 
cumstance to  exile  a great  number  of  ecclesi- 
astics, to  imprison  the  Cardinals  and  to  mul- 
tiply the  national  vexations;  and  above  all, 
to  object  to  the  residence  of  the  Pope  in  Tus 


120 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


cany,  as  being  too  near  his  former  subjects. 
The  four  French  Commissaries  and  the  Gen- 
eral St.  Cyr,  wrote  to  the  Grand  Duke  that 
he  should  deliver  the  Holy  Father  into 
their  hands,  to  be  transported  to  Cagliari,  in 
the  isle  of  Sardinia.  The  Pontiff,  more  en- 
feebled from  day  to  day,  could  no  longer  sit 
up.  He  feared  that  he  could  not  bear  the 
journey,  and  that  this  banishment  was  for 
iiim  but  a sentence  of  death.  Every  imagi- 
nable means  was  used  to  change  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  Commissaries.  The  Grand  Duke 
Ferdinand  generously  refused  to  expose  the 
Pope  to  such  peril.  He  implored,  and  a 
modification  of  this  determination  was  grant- 
ed by  the  French  General,  He  obtained  that 
the  Pope  should  be  removed  to  a monastery 
in  Florence,  a retired  and  solitary  spot,  where 
he  should  receive  no  visits,  and  from  whence 
none  should  depart  without  the  consent  of 
the  people. 

But  that  which  preeminently  occupied 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  121 

Pius  VL,  was  the  prospect  of  his  approach- 
ing death,  and  the  means  to  be  taken  to  ap- 
point a successor.  He  had  carried  with  him, 
from  Eome  to  Sienna,  a Bull  to  regulate  the 
measures  to  be  taken  after  his  death  to  facili- 
tate the  election  of  his  successor;  but  the 
dispersion  of  the  members  of  the  Holy  Col- 
lege would  place  obstacles  in  the  way.  When 
he  learned  that  the  French  government  de- 
sired to  dispose  of  his  person — to  confine 
him  in  a place  where  correspondence  with  his 
Cardinals  would  be  impossible,  he  resolved  to 
send  the  Bull  to  Naples,  where  resided  many 
of  the  Cardinals.  Notwithstanding  numer- 
ous difficulties,  the  Bull  was  dispatched. 

Before  his  departure  from  Sienna,  a violent 
earthquake  was  experienced  in  the  city. 
Numbers  were  killed  and  many  wounded. 
The  Augustinian  monastery  was  greatly 
damaged,  and  the  walls  of  the  Pope’s  apart- 
ment were  cracked  in  four  places.  At  the 
time  of  the  accvient,  Pius  VI.  was  alone  in 


122  PONTIFICATE  AND 

his  chamber.  When  his  attendants  ran  to 
seek  him,  they  found  him,  breviary  in  hand, 
unfrightened.  On  expressing  to  him  their 
astonishment,  he  replied,  “ In  such  events, 
as  indeed  in  all  others,  we  should  confide 
ourselves  tranquilly  to  the  hands  of  Provi- 
dence.” The  examination  of  the  walls 
proved  that  a second  shock  would  be  attend- 
ed with  greater  danger.  The  Holy  Father 
was  then  placed  on  a lounge  and  transported 
into  the  grand  hall.  The  people  of  Sienna, 
more  anxious  for  the  welfare  of  the  Holy 
Father  than  for  their  own  preservation, 
crowded  around  the  monastery,  and  could 
not  be  persuaded  to  withdraw  until  they  had 
received  assurances  of  the  safety  of  the  Pon- 
tiff, and  that  he  had  been  removed  to  a place 
of  safety.  He  was  removed  to  a country-seat, 
about  one  mile  from  the  city,  where  he  re- 
mained till  the  time  of  his  departure  for 
Chartreuse. 

This  departure  took  place  June  1,  1798. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  123 

* 

Scarcely  three  days  elapsed  before  the  Grand 
Duke  and  his  wife  came  to  pay  their  respects 
to  His  Holiness.  The  Pope,  to  receive  with 
more  solemnity  these  illustrious  visitors, 
dressed  himself  in  his  rochet  and  mozetta. 
His  Holiness  and  suite  received  them.  The 
Grand  Duke  fell  at  the  feet  of  the  Pontiff, 
who  vainly  endeavored  to  raise  him.  The 
prince  expressed  to  His  Holiness  the  joy  and 
consolation  that  he  experienced  in  being  per- 
mitted to  see  him. 

Pius  VI.  could  receive  no  other  visit:  he 
was  rigorously  watched  by  his  guardsmen ; 
and  it  was  with  the  greatest  trouble  that  the 
bishops  and  priests  could  have  the  happiness 
of  approaching  him.  Above  all,  they  sought 
to  deprive  him  of  all  communication  with  the 
Church.  It  was  at  this  place  of  confinement 
that  he  wrote  so  many  letters,  monuments  of 
his  zeal  and  piety.  The  Grand  Duke,  who 
feared  to  render  himself  suspicious  to  the 
French  Government,  took  the  precaution  to 


124 


PONTIFICATE  AN1> 


propose  to  the  minister  of  the  Fi-ench  Eepub- 
lie,  to  watch  with  him  in  the  interior  of  the 
mansion  of  the  Pope,  and  to  name  all  the 
persons  who  should  compose  the  guard. 

The  Directory  was  not  yet  satisfied.  The 
French  Government  ordered  the  Grand  Duke 
of  Tuscany  to  cause  this  dangerous  guest  to 
withdraw  from  his  states.  The  prince,  al- 
though he  felt  perfectly  his  dependance  on 
the  French  Government,  boldly  replied  to  his 
commissaries — “ I did  not  desire  to  have  the 
Pope  in  my  dominions ; it  is  you  who  have 
given  him  to  me.  If  you  desire  that  His 
Holiness  leave  Tuscany,  I will  have  all  neces- 
sary preparations  made;  but  France  must 
take  upon  herself  the  inhumanity  of  the  act : 
I have  not  the  heart  to  drive  him  from  my 
dominions.” 

However  jtist,  however  reasonable  the  re- 
sponse, the  Directory  remained  unsatisfied. 
They  informed  the  Grand  Duke  that  if  he 
did  not  cause  the  Pope  to  leave  Tuscany, 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  125 

he  should  be  held  responsible  for  all  the 
difficulties  that  his  presence  might  cause  to 
Eome. 

The  Court  of  Tuscany,  unable  to  resist 
these  demands,  was  reduced  to  concert  with 
the  Court  of  Vienna.  The  Marquis  Manfre- 
dini  made  a journey  to  the  Austrian  capital, 
for  the  express  purpose  of  seeking  a retreat 
for  the  Pope  in  the  dominions  of  the  Em- 
peror. The  Monastery  of  Mo^lk,  near  the 
Danube,  had  already  been  chosen  as  an  asy- 
lum for  Pius  YL,  when  unexpected  circum- 
stances arrested  the  execution  of  the  plan. 
They  thought  to  pass  through  Spain ; but  the 
King  declared  that  he  could  receive  them 
only  on  certain  conditions,  which,  it  was 
thought,  better  not  to  accept.  “If  he  has 
the  strength  to  say  Mass,”  said  his  enemies, 
“ he  is  sufficiently  strong  to  bear  transporta- 
tion.” 

Orders  for  his  transportation  arrived  often, 

but  the  Grand  Duke  interceded  with  the 
11^ 


126  PONTIFICATE  AND 

French  commissioners  in  favor  of  the  illus- 
trious captive.  He  made  known  to  them  the 
opinion  of  the  physicians,  who  demonstrated 
the  utter  impracticability  of  the  project,  un- 
less they  desired  that  the  Pope  should  die  at 
sea.  The  Directory  was  at  last  obliged  to 
yield. 

At  this  epoch  of  his  exile  in  Tuscany,  the 
Pope  received  from  several  crowned  heads 
and  many  eminent  personages,  letters  ex- 
pressive of  the  most  respectful  affection. 
The  French  Bishops — ^refugees  in  England — 
addressed  to  him  a most  touching  letter,  in 
which  they  gave  proofs  of  their  unbounded 
respect  and  attachment.  They  were  aston- 
ished that  the  sacred  majesty  of  the  Vicar  of 
Jesus  Christ,  which  had  formerly  arrested  the 
ferocity  of  Attila,  had  not  served  as  a barrier 
to  the  French  republicans:  that  men  who,  in 
their  infancy,  had  been  nourished  by  the  mild 
principles  of  religion,  should  show  themselves 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  127 

more  ferocious  than  the  untutored  savage,  a 
stranger  to  all  civilization. 

Under  the  weight  of  so  many  evils,”  said 
they,  in  conclusion,  “we  have,  Holy  Father, 
a lively  faith  that  sustains  our  courage.  The 
Catholic  faith  teaches  us  that  the  Holy  See 
ma}^  be  agitated  by  the  waves  of  human  pas- 
sion, but  never  overthrown.  It  will  always 
find  on  earth  a Pontiff,  legitimate  successor 
of  him  to  whom  it  has  been  said — ‘ Thou  art 
Peter,’  ” etc.  The  Pope  replied  to  this  letter 
of  .the  French  Bishops,  from  which  we  will 
present  several  passages. 

“If  our  misfortunes  cause  you  so  much 
grief,  the  tender  interest  that  you  manifest 
for  us  merits,  without  doubt  our  gratitude; 
but  we  conjure  you,  with  the  Apostle,  not  to 
mourn  for  us,  and  not  to  lose  courage  in  our 
tribulation  ; for,  whatever  misfortunes  we  may 
endure.  Will  it  be  possible  for  our  soul  to 
succumb  to  sadness,  when  we  are  aware  that 
nothing  can  procure  us  so  much  glory  as  these 
same  sufferings,  by  which  we  are  assailed  by 
God’s  holy  permission  ? 


128 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


“ Should  the  hand  of  God  appear  to  punish 
ns  severely,  what  more  glorious  for  us  than 
this  tribulation?  We  are  but  justly  chastised 
for  our  sins ; by  this  chastisement  we  know 
that  we  are  loved  of  God,  He  wishes  to  prove 
our  faith  and  perseverance.  Thanks  to  these 
trials,  we  can,  all  unworthy  as  we  are,  flatter 
ourself  that  we  are  pleasing  to  the  Lord ; for 
we  read,  As  gold  is  tried  by  the  fire,  so  men 
beloved  of  God  are  proved  in  the  furnace  of 
tribulation. 

“We  desire  to  endure  not  only  tribulation 
but  extreme  sufferings,  provided  it  be  for 
Jesus  and  for  justice.^^ 

If  the  Directory  had  been  moved  by  the 
representations  made  from  different  quarters, 
of  the  inhumanity  of  exposing  an  octogena- 
rian to  the  fatigues  of  a sea  voyage,  it  had 
not  abandoned  the  project  of  transportation. 
On  the  evening  of  the  I8th  of  March,  1799, 
a courier  extraordinary  arrived  in  Florence, 
dispatched  by  the  minister  of  the  Grand  Duke 
in  the  French  Eepublic.  He  informed  tne 
prince  that  Talleyrand,  then  minister  of  for- 
eign affairs  in  France,  commanded  the  Grand 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  129 

Duke  to  conduct  the  Holy  Father  away  from 
Tuscany.  The  following  day  Odescalchi  was, 
at  an  early  hour,  sent  to  the  palace,  where 
he  received  the  announcement  of  the  inexor- 
able dispatch. 

The  nuncio  was  sent  to  the  prince,  who 
replied  that  he  should  take  no  measures  to 
force  His  Holiness  to  withdraw  from  his 
states,  though  he  had  not  the  means  of  resist- 
ing the  formidable  power  that  commanded  him 
to  give  no  longer  to  the  Pope  an  asylum  in 
his  dominions.  “ If  the  French  should  come,^^ 
said  he,  ‘‘  all  will  be  lost.  Tuscany,  hitherto 
preserved,  and  so  many  times  threatened  with 
invasions,  will  become  a prey  to  the  revo- 
lutions, religious  and  political,  which  have 
desolated  all  the  countries  that  have  submit- 
ted to  the  republican  regime.  Every  thing 
will  be  in  confusion,  and  our  Holy  Father 
will  find  himself  in  no  better  position  than 
at  present.  Monsieur  Nuncio,  though  plunged 
in  the  most  cruel  anxiety,  I will  refer  the 


130  PONTIFICATE  AND 

matter  to  His  Holiness,  and  abide  by  his  de- 
cision.’^ 

The  next  day,  at  an  early  hour,  the  Nuncio 
presented  himself  at  Chartreuse.-  Pius  YI. 
had  just  finished  his  thanksgivings  after  holy 
communion.  “Holy  Father,”  said  the  Nun- 
cio, “ a new  misfortune  awaits  you.”  “ God’s 
will  be  done,”  said  the  Pope.  Then  he  de- 
sired his  minister  to  conceal  nothing  from 
him.  When  informed,  he  replied  with  sere- 
nity and  dignity,  “We  are  prepared  for  all 
things.  Every  precaution  has  been  taken  to 
preserve  life.  We  adore  in  this  lengthy  per- 
secution, the  secret  dispensation  of  Provi- 
dence. May  the  will  of  God,  in  our  regard, 
be  accomplished.  Convey  to  the  Grand  Duke 
our  gratitude  for  his  hospitality  and  kindness 
since  our  residence  here.  Say  to  him  that  if 
France  seeks  to  find,  in  our  abode  in  Tus- 
cany, a pretext  for  invading  his  states,  that 
pretext  shall  fail  her;  for  we  are  ready, 
quite  read}^  to  depart,  rather  than  furnish  the 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  i31 

shadow  of  a cause  for  the  invasion  of  these 
dominions,  the  oppression  of  these  devoted 
people,  and  the  ruin  of  their  religion.” 

He  then  ordered  Odescalchi  to  engage  a 
ship,  to  hire  post  horses ; and  it  was  only  at 
the  moment  of  departure,  that  a contrary 
order  arrived  from  the  French  Minister  at 
Florence. 

On  the  25th  of  March  the  French  presented 
themselves  at  the  gates  of  Vienna,  and  made 
their  entrance  two  hours  after  mid-day.  On 
the  morning  of  the  26th,  a detachment  of 
cavalry  and  infantry  presented  themselves  at 
Chartreuse.  “ The  Pope  sleeps,”  said  one  to 
the  chie^  who  desired  to  speak  with  him. 
‘^He  must  be  awakened,”  said  he;  “he 
sleeps  too  late.”  They  informed  the  Pope, 
who  had  the  chief  admitted  immediately. 
“I  have  with  me,”  said  the  latter,  “a  detach- 
ment of  soldiers,  who  are  to  occupy  this 
dwelling;  but  entertain  no  fear:  these  meas* 


132 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


ures  are  only  taken  for  the  safety  of  your 
person.'^  “ It  is  well,”  replied  the  Pope. 

The  next  day  the  Holy  Father  learned  that 
the  Duke  of  Tuscany  and  family  had  been 
taken  to  Bologna,  under  a French  escort. 
After  this  he  received  a visit  from  the  chief 
of  the  brigade,  who,  without  farther  pream- 
ble, announced  that  he  had  been  directed  to 
transport  His  Holiness  to  Parma,  and  that 
the  journey  must  be  commenced  without 
delay.  ‘‘  To  Parma?  I am  content,”  replied 
Pius  VI.  The  hour  of  departure  was  fixed 
for  four  in  the  morning,  but  afterwards 
changed  to  two. 

The  venerable  Pontiff  rose  at  one,  assisted 
at  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  and  then  received  the 
religious,  who  came  like  faithful  children,  to 
pay  their  last  respects  to  the  common  father 
of  the  faithful.  Pius  VI.  offered  them  his 
hand  to  kiss,  thanked  them  affectionately  for 
their  benevolent  hospitality,  and  bestowed 
upon  them  his  benediction. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  xSS 

His  infirmities  had  progressed  frightfully ; 
his  limbs  were  motionless,  and  a portion  of 
his  body  was  entirely  paralyzed.  His  attend- 
ants carried  him  in  a chair  to  the  carriage; 
but  as  the  door  was  very  straight  and  nar- 
row, it  was  impossible  for  him  to  enter.  Two 
of  the  grooms  then  entered  the  carriage,  when 
by  raising  the  Pope  by  his  arms,  and  with 
the  assistance  of  the  domestics,  they  effected 
his  entrance. 

The  witnesses  of  this  sad  spectacle  were 
deeply  moved.  The  French  captain  could 
no  longer  bear  so  mournful  a sight,  and  de- 
sired that  he  should  be  informed  when  every 
thing  was  in  readiness.  An  ocular  witness 
informs  us  that  several  of  the  F rench  military 
were  moved  to  tears.  The  carriage  left  Char- 
treuse at  near  three  o’clock.  They  traveled 
slowly  to  avoid  jolting;  but  notwithstanding 
this  precaution,  when  they  arrived  at  Maschea, 
two  leagues  from  Florence,  the  Pope  was  in. 

a most  alarming  condition.  He  was  lifted 
12 


134 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


from  the  carriage  and  taken  to  a small  inn, 
which  caused  him  as  much  pain  as  when  he 
was  placed  in  the  vehicle  on  a former  occa- 
sion. The  Holy  Father  seemed  ready  to 
breathe  his  last.  Mongen  believed  that  soon 
his  surveillance  would  extend  to  but  a corpse ; 
God,  who  wished  to  give  an  example  of  lon- 
ganimity and  patience,  permitted  that  a day 
of  rest,  with  a little  nourishment,  should  re- 
store slightly  the  strength  of  the  dying  old 
man. 

The  journey  was  recommenced  on  the  29th. 
On  passing  the  Appenines,  which  were  covered 
with  snow,  the  Holy  Pontiff  became  delirious. 
He  raved  of  rivers,  the  waves  of  the  sea,  and 
of  vessels  ready  to  sail.  The  Prelates  who 
were  with  him  were  obliged  to  place  theii 
hands  on  his  breast  to  prevent  his  falling  on 
them. 

Seeing  the  deplorable  situation  of  the  Pon- 
tiff, Mongen  had  insisted  on  a little  delay. 
But  news  unfavorable  to  the  French  had  ar- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  135 

rived,  and  they  resumed  their  journey  the 
next  day  to  Modena.  Crowds  of  peasants 
met  them,  and  notwithstanding  the  rain  and 
mud,  these  faithful  souls  knelt  to  beg  the 
benediction  of  the  venerable  Pontiff’.  At  the 
gates  of  Modena  several  ill-mannered  men 
addressed  insulting  words  to  His  Holiness. 
It  was  the  first  time  that  this  kind  of  outrage 
had  been  inflicted  on  Pius  YI.  After  the 
example  of  his  Divine  Master,  he  suffered 
this  humiliation  in  silence.  But  Mongen, 
quite  indignant  at  such  shameful  conduct, 
drew  his  sabre  and  dispersed  them. 

From  Modena  they  proceeded  immediately 
to  Parma,  where  the  Pope  was  received  into 
the  monastery  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist. 
During  the  passage  multitudes  implored  the 
pontifical  benediction ; but  such  was  the  ex- 
treme state  of  weakness  of  Pius  YI.,  that  he 
could  not  raise  his  arms  to  bless  these  good 
people. 

April  2,  the  Duke  of  Parma  came  to  visit 


.36 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


the  august  exile.  On  entering  the  apartment 
he  prostrated  himself  at  the  feet  of  the  Holy 
Pontiff,  and  performed  the  same  act  of  reve- 
rence on  leaving.  His  example  was  followed 
by  the  envoy  of  Spain  and  the  Parmian  offi- 
cers. 

The  Captain,  Mongen,  was  present:  he 
seemed  deeply  affected,  and  undecided  what 
part  to  act.  Pius  VI.  perceived  the  constraint 
of  the  French  officer.  He  cast  a mild  and 
beneficent  glance  on  him  that  penetrated  his 
soul.  Mongen  could  no  longer  resist:  he 
fell  at  the  feet  of  the  Holy  Pontiff,  and  pros- 
trated himself  three  distinct  times.  The  Pope 
was  profoundly  affected  by  the  circumstance, 
and  wishing  to  show  his  particular  affection 
for  the  officer  who  had  manifested  for  himself 
so  much  respect,  he  bought  for  him  a magni- 
ficent horse,  which  he  presented  to  him. 

On  the  13th  of  April,  Mongen,  who  had 
returned  from  Florence,  reappeared  at  Parma 
at  an  early  hour.  He  appeared  impatient  and 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  137 

bewildered.  He  entered  the  chamber  of  Mon- 
seigneur Spina,  and  informed  him  of  the  order 
he  had  received  from  the  General-in-Chief 
himself,  to  remove  the  Pope  immediately  from 
Parma  to  Turin.  He  had  remonstrated  with 
the  Chief,  but  to  no  purpose.  None  dared 
disturb  the  repose  of  His  Holiness  to  com- 
municate this  sad  news.  On  his  awaking, 
they  mentioned  not  Mongen,  but  only  in- 
formed him  that  the  French  authorities  wished 
his  removal,  that  he  might  dwell  in  a more 
peaceful  territory,  and  not  in  the  theatre  of 
war. 

Notwithstanding  these  precautions,  the 
Holy  Father  received  a severe  shock  from 
this  announcement.  He  remained  silent  for 
some  time,  then  he  said  in  a dying  voice, 
that  he  could  not  depart.  Monseigneur  Spina 
repaired  to  the  Duke,  to  expose  to  him  the 
state  of  things,  and  to  beg  his  intercession  in 
favor  of  the  Holy  Father,  to  obtain  a delay 
of  a few  days.  The  prince,  for  his  reply, 


138 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


showed  him  the  injunctions  of  the  French, 
and  the  menaces  that  accompanied  them. 

The  inhabitants  of  Parma  now  learned  that 
the  French  wished  to  remove  the  Pope,  sick 
and  suffering.  The  streets  were  soon  crowded 
with  an  excited  and  irritated  multitude.  Mon- 
gen, on  entering  the  convent,  inquired  if  all 
was  ready  for  departure.  He  received  for 
reply  that  the  Prelates  and  domestics  were 
ready  to  depart,  but  that  the  Holy  Father, 
overcome  by  illness,  was  unable  to  leave  hia 
bed.  Mon  gen  replied  that  he  acted,  not  on 
his  own  authority,  and  that  he  must  obey  the 
orders  of  his  General ; but  that  they  should 
call  in  the  most  eminent  physicians,  and  that 
they  should  decide  whether  the  Pope  could 
bear  the  removal. 

The  physicians  entered  the  chamber  with 
Mongen.  The  Pope  was  grievously  ill.  The 
better  to  judge  of  the  exhaustion  of  the  ilbis- 
trious  patient,  they  raised  the  bed-clothes, 
and  discovered  a body  so  thin  and  attenuated 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  139 

that  they  decided  that  he  could  not,  without 
peril,  be  removed  to  another  apartment. 

Mongen  demanded  a written  declaration 
from  the  physicians,  and  promised  to  return 
to  Florence  to  get  the  order  of  the  chief  re- 
voked. This  officer,  in  the  exercise  of  his 
duties  towards  the  Pope,  had  heretofore  given 
evidence  of  a noble  character;  but  whether 
he  had  been  reproached  for  his  conduct,  or 
whether  he  had  unwise  counsellors  in  Flo* 
rence,  or  from  some  other  cause,  evil  passions 
now  gained  the  ascendancy  in  his  heart,  and 
it  was  only  at  rare  intervals  that  he  showed 
himself  conciliating  and  polite. 

He  commenced  by  exacting  a sum  of  money 
for  the  expenses  of  his  journey  to  Florence. 
When  that  had  been  remitted  him,  he  con 
eluded  that  he  would  not  perform  the  journey, 
and  on  the  14th  of  April,  he  announced  that 
the  Pope  would  certainly  depart  the  next  day. 
He  threatened  the  minister  of  the  Duke  with 
severe  consequences  if  the  Pope  were  detained 


140 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


u day  longer.  This  minister,  frightened  at 
the  state  of  things,  made  known  to  the  Pon- 
tiff the  calamities  that  would  fall  on  the  do- 
minions of  the  Duke,  if  he  afforded  any 
asylum  to  His  Holiness  any  longer.  “ It  is 
enough.  Monsieur,’’  said  the  Pope,  who  had 
recovered  a little  strength  ; “ please  God,  we 
will  not  be  the  cause  of  disturbance  to  your 
prince  or  to  his  people.  Whatever  happens, 
we  will  depart,  and  all  that  we  ask  is  that 
God’s  holy  will  be  accomplished.” 

The  next  morning,  before  day.  Mongen 
ordered  that  the  holy  Pontiff  should  be  awak- 
ened. He  uttered  no  complaint,  heard  Mass, 
and  departed.  Mongen  demanded  an  escort 
from  the  Duke,  but  the  latter  had  not  a single 
cavalier.,  Bonaparte  having  exacted  that  he 
should  furnish  seventeen  hundred  horsemen 
to  the  French  army. 

The  conduct  of  the  Duke  did  not  give  rise 
to  much  satisfaction.  As  he  was  extremely 
easy  of  access,  a -religious,  celebrated  for  his 


CAPTIVITY-  OF  PIUS  VI.  141 

many  virtues  and  great  piety,  humbly  pre- 
sented his  observations  on  the  conduct  of  the 
Government  under  these  circumstances.  Fer- 
dinand excused  himself  on  account  of  the 
disasters  that  might  ensue.  “Eoyal  High- 
ness,” said  the  religious,  ‘Hhe  Jews  employed 
the  same  argument,  when  they  deliberated  on 
the  measures  to  be  taken  in  regard  to  Jesus 
Christ.  They  said,  the  Eomans  will  come 
and  destroy  our  city  and  our  nation.  They 
feared  to  lose  their  temporal  power,  and 
thought  not  of  their  eternal  life ; and  accord- 
ing to  St.  Augustine,  they  lost  both  the  one 
and  the  other.  Ferdinand  was  too  good  to 
be  offended  at  this  admonition,  but  he  needed 
the  courage  to  follow  this  heroic  advice. 


\ ’■ 


/ 


■ I 


n. 

On  the  15th  of  April,  they  directed  their 
eteps  towards  Placentia.  The  Holy  Father 
was  lodged  in  the  College  of  St.  Lazarus, 
about  two  miles  from  the  city.  The  Trabia 
was  considerabiy  swollen  by  the  rain  of  the 
preceding  day,  and  there  was  imminent  dan- 
ger in  crossing  it ; but  Mongen  would  listen 
to  no  entreaties,  and  gave  orders  for  depart- 
ure on  the  following  day.  They  were  not 
permitted  to  enter  Placentia;  the  gates  of 
the  city  were  closed,  and  they  were  compelled 
to  proceed  by  miserable  roads.  The  inhabi- 
tants, from  the  walls,  anxiously  demanded 
the  apostolic  benediction.  Not  far  from  the 
city,  they  encountered  a band  of  French  hus- 
sars. As  soon  as  they  perceived  that  the 
carriages  contained  the  Pope  and  his  suite. 


144 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


they  commenced  to  laugh,  and  grossly  in- 
sulted His  Holiness.  The  companions  of  thn 
illustrious  exile  were  indignant ; he  alone  re 
mained  unmoved. 

All  at  once  they  encountered  an  aide-de 
camp,  who  had  concerted  measures  with 
Mongen,  who  caused  the  carriages  to  turn 
back.  They  retraced  their  steps,  to  regain 
the  College  of  St.  Lazarus.  The  captain 
wished  to  avoid  Placentia,  but  the  inhabi- 
tants opposed  it.  The  boldest  among  them 
seized  the  bridles  of  the  horses  and  led  them 
I through  Placentia,  notwithstanding  the  men- 
aces of  Mongen.  Pius  VI.  interposed  to 
calm  the  multitude. 

Soon  after,  the  hussars,  to  whom  the  com- 
mand of  the  college  had  been  confided,  ar- 
rived. Pastor,  who  commanded,  repaired 
immediately  with  Mongen  to  the  chamber  of 
the  Prelates.  Pastor  declared  that  they  must 
set  out  for  Piedmont,  as  he  was  charged  with 
the  strict  execution  of  this  order. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  145 

Evening  arrived,  and  still  the  Trabia  could 
not  be  crossed  without  almost  certain  danger 
of  perishing.  The  Pope  was  exceedingly 
fatigued.  The  Prelates,  having  vainly  re- 
monstrated, exclaimed,  with  one  voice,  “ Gen- 
tlemen officers,  right  is  on  our  side  ; strength 
on  yours.  If  you  are  determined  to  employ 
violence,  order  your  soldiers  to  drag  the 
Pope  from  his  bed,  and  dispose,  according  to 
your  liking,  of  the  life  of  an  old  man,  re- 
duced to  the  last  extremity  by  afflictions  and 
infirmities.” 

Pastor  preserved  silence.  Mongen  appear- 
ed frightened;  he  replied  that  he  would  first 
assure  himself  whether  the  passage  of  the 
Trabia  were  possible.  Towards  eleven  at 
night,  the  two  officers  returned,  saying  that 
the  waters  were  subsiding,  and  if  no  more 
rain  fell,  the  passage  could  be  attempted  by 
twelve. 

In  two  hours  they  commenced  the  journey*. 

Mongen,  Pastor  and  six  hussars  formed  the 
13 


146 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


escort.  The  Prelates  feared  insulting  con- 
duct on  the  part  of  the  latter;  but  wher 
they  witnessed  the  sufferings  of  the  Holy 
Father,  his  patience  and  resignation,  better 
sentiments  prevailed,  and  during  the  remain- 
der of  the  journey,  they  showed  themselves 
respectful  and  compassionate. 

At  sunrise  they  reached  the  borders  of  the 
Trabia.  The  waters  were  still  badly  swollen. 
One  of  the  carriages  was  overturned  in  the 
water,  and  they  had  much  difficulty  to  re- 
cover it ; one  horse  was  drowned.  The  ven- 
erable Pontiff  at  length  reached  the  opposite 
shore.  It  took  two  hours  to  effect  the  pas- 
sage. 

The  Prelates  desired  to  make  a short  stay 
at  Voghera,  that  the  Pope  might  take  a little 
repose.  On  application  to  Mongen,  he  re- 
plied that  he  should  conform  to  the  orders  he 
had  received.  The  commanding  officer  at 
Voghera  received  the  Pope  with  honor,  and 


CAPriVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  147 

made  him  an  address ; but  ILis  Holiness  was 
so  enfeebled  that  he  could  not  respond. 

This  officer  knew  that  repose  was  necessary 
to  the  Pontiff,  and  although  his  instructions 
authorized  but  a few  hours’  sojourn,  he  per- 
mitted him  to  remain  until  the  next  day.  At 
Tortona,  the  commanding  officer  was  inflexi- 
ble. He  wished  them  to  cross  a stream  that 
all  agreed  was  not  fordable.  The  inhabitants 
rose  to  prevent  the  departure  of  the  Pope ; 
but  the  mob  was  suppressed,  and  His  Holi- 
ness was  exposed  anew  to  peril.  “We  are 
in  the  hands  of  God,”  said  the  Holy  Father, 
“and  nothing  can  happen  without  His  per- 
mission.” On  crossing  the  stream,  the  water 
flowed  into  the  carriage,  but  no  accident  hap- 
pened. 

At  Alexandria,  he  was  kindly  received, 
and  a delay  granted  in  the  journey  by  the 
commanding  officer ; at  Casal,  the  same  course 
of  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  people  and  the 


148 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


authorities.  In  the  evening,  a young  man 
named  Colas  arrived,  charged  with  the  con- 
duct of  the  Pope.  Mongen  continued  his 
journey  to  Turin. 

At  Trino,  all  honors  were  rendered  to 
the  Pope.  The  hussars  here  took  leave  of 
him,  after  having  received  proofs  of  his  libe- 
rality. 

The  holy  Pontiff  was  but  a few  miles  from 
Turin.  The  inhabitants  poured  out  to  meet 
him  by  thousands ; so  that  Grouchy,  uneasy 
at  this  manifestation,  ordered  that  they  should 
not  enter  the  city  until  night-fall. 

The  Pope  was  now  reduced  to  a most 
alarming  state.  Several  times  his  attendants 
thought  he  had  ceased  to  breathe ; he  swooned 
often  and  lost  all  consciousness,  and  fell  in 
the  arms  of  those  in  the  carriage.  A troop 
of  disrespectful  soldiers  and  women  sur- 
rounded the  carriage  when  they  had  entered 
the  citadel ; it  was  necessary  to  disperse  them 
before  Pius  VI.  could  be  placed  on  his  bed. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  149 

Scarcely  had  he  been  placed  thereon,  when 
a lawyer  came  to  announce  that  the  Direc- 
tory had  decided  that  he  should  depart  on 
the  following  day.  This  lawj^er  ridiculously 
called  the  Holy  Father  the  Citizen  Pope.  / 
Grouchy,  however,  allowed  him  a day^s  rest. 
Early  next  morning,  Pius  VI.  was  awakened, 
to  place  himself  anew  in  the  hands  of  his 
enemies. 

At  the  first  station,  he  was  told  that  Car- 
dinal Gerdil,  whom  he  tenderly  loved,  had 
solicited  the  happiness  of  seeing  him.  The 
heart  of  His  Holiness  was  gladdened  for  a 
while,  at  the  thought  of  meeting  this  beloved 
friend.  “Has  Cardinal  Gerdil  arrived?”  in- 
quired he,  several  times.  At  length  they 
were  forced  to  inform  him  that  the  Cardinal 
had  been  prevented  from  presenting  himself. 

Pius  VI.  uttered  not  a word,  but  raised  his 
eyes  to  heaven,  as  if  to  offer  up  this  new  sa- 
crifice. 

At  Suza,  the  Commissary,  Colas,  an- 
13* 


150 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


nounced  that  his  mission  was  at  an  end,  and 
that  the  Pope  was  to  be  transported,  not  to 
Grenoble,  as  he  had  announced  at  Turin,  but 
to  Brian  con. 

They  now  procured  for  Pius  VI.  a sedan 
chair,  to  be  borne  by  six  men.  The  weather 
was  excessively  cold.  One  of  the  mule-dri- 
vers presented  the  Pope  with  a pair  of  over- 
shoes, and  an  officer  offered  him  his  cloak. 
The  caravan  marched  with  difficulty  through 
the  snow  and  ice,  and  reached  at  last,  without 
accident,  the  presbytery  of  Oulx,  where  the 
Pope  remained  till  the  roads  could  be  cleared 
from  the  snow,  that  rendered  them  impas- 
sable. 

The  route  was  recommenced.  Mount  Ge- 
n^vie  appeared  perfectly  perpendicular;  it 
was  impossible  to  ascend  it  on  horseback.  It 
required  all  their  strength  and  agility  to  as- 
cend the  mount,  bearing  the  sedan  of  the 
Holy  Father.  At  length  the  Holy  Father 
gained  the  French  territory,  where,  for  eight 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  151 

years,  a desolating  war  had  been  waged 
against  religion ; and  the  poor  village  of  Ge- 
nfevie  presented  the  sad  spectacle  of  a desC' 
crated  church,  deprived  of  its  cross. 

Briancon  could  offer  but  a fatal  abode. 
‘‘  I know,”  said  the  Cardinal  Pacca,  in  his 
memoirs,  “how  painful  to  a Eussian,  or  a 
Pole,  to  be  exiled  to  Tobolsk  or  Kamtschat- 
ka.  I also  know  that  an  abode  among  the 
cold  and  inhospitable  Alps  can  be  contempla- 
ted only  with  terror  by  those  who  are  accus- 
tomed to  the  mild  temperature  of  southern 
Italy.” 

Snow  prevails  during  nearly  all  the  year 
at  Briancon.  The  apartment  of  the  Holy 
Father  was  in  a most  desolate  condition ; the 
chimneys  were  in  such  a state  that  the  snow 
and  rain  poured  down  them.  The  Pope  was 
placed  under  the  surveillance  of  a man — by 
name  Berard — a vicious  revolutionist. 

The  commanding  officer  of  Briancon  wish- 
ed to  ameliorate  the  sad  lot  of  the  Sovereign 


152 


PONTIFICATE,  ETC. 


Pontiff;  but  Berard  threatened  to  denounce 
him,  if  he  undertook  the  defence  of  the  pris- 
oner ; he  even  interdicted  all  communication 
between  the  wife  of  this  officer  and  the  Pope 
or  Prelates. 


vn. 

The  Austro-Eussian  army  had  penetrated 
Italy,  and  gained  great  advantages.  It  was 
reported  that  the  delivery  of  the  Pope  was  at 
hand.  The  Commissary,  Berard,  fearing  that 
his  prey  might  escape,  wrote  to  General  Mul- 
ler to  solicit  the  transportation  of  the  Pontiff 
into  the  interior  of  the  kingdom. 

A military  courier  arrived  shortly  after, 
and  ordered  that  in  case  Pius  VI.  was  unable 
to  travel,  he  should  remain  at  Briancon,  and 
his  suite  should  proceed  immediately  to  Gre- 
noble. 

The  Pope  remained  silent  a few  moments, 
and  then  repeated  his  favorite  expression; 
“We  wish  but  to  conform  to  the  will  of 
God.  I am  ready,”  said  he,  “ to  depart  with 

my  ecclesiastics.”  A delay  of  five  days  was 
153 


154 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


sued  for,  to  make  preparations  for  the  jour- 
ney, and  to  procure  carriages,  as  there  was 
not  one  to  be  found  in  Briancon.  “ Car- 
riages exclaimed  Berard,  “ a cart  will  be 
good  enough  for  the  Pope;  and  as  for  the 
rest,  have  they  not  feet  to  walk 

Unwilling  longer  to  yield  to  the  fury  of 
Berard,  the  commander  granted  a delay. 
Men  and  women  became  indignant  at  such 
brutal  conduct,  and  the  Prelates  themselves 
had  to  labor  strenuously  to  calm  the  pop- 
ulace. 

June  7th,  a new  courier,  dispatched  by 
Muller,  gave  orders  that  the  Pope  must  re- 
main at  Briancon  alone,  and  that  his  suite 
must  depart  immediately. 

The  Holy  Father  addressed  him  a note, 
through  Cardinal  Spina.  He  recalled  the 
agreements  entered  into  on  his  departure 
from  Rome,  renewed  at  Florence  and  Turin ; 
the  passports  signed  by  Eeinhard  and  Grou- 
chy ; the  promises  made  him,  that  he  should 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  155 

have  near  him  persons  of  his  own  selection : 
he  announced  that  the  Prelates  who  formed 
his  suite  were  disposed  to  submit  to  the  most 
severe  measures,  and  even  to  imprisonment, 
provided  they  could  communicate  with  the 
Sovereign  Pontiff,  and  render  him  those  ser- 
vices that  his  asre  and  infirmities  rendered  ne- 

O 

cessary.  The  letter  terminated  thus : “ I 
draw  near  to  the  close  of  my  earthly  exist- 
ence. I desire  to  be  assisted  in  my  last  mo- 
ments by  the  ministers  of  the  Holy  Church, 
of  which  God  has  placed  me  at  the  head.^’ 
Muller  was  inflexible.  They  at  last  plead 
that  a single  ecclesiastic  should  be  allowed  to 
remain  with  His  Holiness.  The  choice  fell 
on  Father  Fantini,  confessor  of  Pius  VI.,  a 
•venerable  and  excellent  religious. 

The  evening  before  their  departure,  all  the 
Prelates  came  to  present  their  homage.  When 
the  august  Pontiff  beheld  them  at  his  feet,  he 
said  to  them  : “ Go  in  peace  ; go  in  the  name 
of  God  He  will  be  your  guide  and  proteo 


156 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


tion.  I hope  that  we  will  soon  be  united/’ 
He  raised  his  trembling  hands  and  blessed 
them  three  times. 

He  afterwards  granted  to  the  ecclesiastics 
all  the  power  usually  granted  by  the  Holy 
See  in  those  places  where  the  Church  is  per- 
secuted. He  created  Monseigneur  Spina 
Apostolic  Delegate,  and  conferred  on  him  ab- 
solute authority. 

The  Prelates  departed,  with  an  escort  of 
three  officers  and  fourteen  cavaliers.  At  Em- 
brun,  it  soon  became  known  that  the  ecclesi- 
astics had  arrived,  and  a crowd  surrounded 
the  inn.  The  landlord  distinguished  himself 
by  his  affability.  Shortly  after,  the  muni- 
cipal corps  presented  themselves  to  compli- 
ment the  Prelates.  The  chief  then  men- 
tioned that  it  had  been  decided  that  they 
should  be  lodged  with  the  most  wealthy  and 
influential  families  in  the  village.  Monseig- 
neur Spina  thanked  the  municipality  for  the 
benevolent  offer,  but  said  that  his  colleagues 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  157 

did  not  wish  to  be  a burden  to  the  village ; 
and  that  now  they  particularly  desired  to  re- 
main at  the  inn,  as  the  landlord  had  shown 
himself  so  polite  and  respectful  in  their  re- 
gard, and  had  prepared  for  them  the  neces- 
sary apartments. 

“ You  will  not  accept,  then  said  the  mu- 
nicipal officer.  The  landlord  replied  that  he 
would  throw  up  his  interest  and  satisfaction 
in  favor  of  these  worthy  people. 

The  families  designed  to  receive  these  ex- 
iled priests  gave  them  a hearty  welcome; 
each  family  esteemed  itself  happy  in  enter- 
taining one  of  these  Confessors  of  the  Faith, 
and  employed  solicitations  and  even  presents 
to  obtain  this  favor.  They  received  their 
benediction  on  bended  knee,  and  recommded 
themselves  to  their  prayers.  In  vain  the  ec- 
clesiastics, confused  by  so  many  marks  of 
respect,  told  them  that  they  did  not  merit 
such  veneration,  but  that  such  honors  be- 
longed to  the  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ. 


153 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


At  Gap,  the  same  reception  awaited  them. 
At  Grenoble,  their  sentinels  became  more  se- 
vere ; they  were  confined  as  prisoners  in  the 
inn ; and  to  prevent  all  communication  with 
the  interior,  redoubled  vigilance  was  used. 
The  order  then  arrived,  that  these  afflicted 
Prelates  should  proceed  to  Dijou.  The  En- 
voy of  Spain,  Senor  Labrador,  endeavored  to 
change  this  determination,  and  showed  great 
zeal  in  furnishing  these  unfortunate  travelers 
with  as  much  money  as  they  needed. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  care  taken  by  the 
police  to  prevent  an  interview  between  the 
inhabitants  and  the  prisoners  confined  in  the 
inn,  several  ladies  in  Grenoble  evaded  the 
vigilance  of  the  sentinels.  We  will  quote  a 
few  words  from  the  interesting  recital,  made 
by  Monseigneur  Baldassari,  who  was  one  of 
the  proscribed : 

“ Several  of  them,  in  order  to  visit  us,  dis- 
guised and  loaded  themselves  with  vegeta- 
bles, fruits  and  flowers,  made  their  way  to 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


159 


the  inn,  where  they  not  only  presented  the 
landlord  with  their  merchandize,  but  paid 
him  generously  to  be  allowed  to  act  as  wait- 
ers at  our  table.  Each  day,  three  or  four 
ladies  presented  themselves  to  fill  this  sta- 
tion. 

“We  admired  their  modest  mein,  and  re- 
marking that  they  changed  daily,  we  could 
not  comprehend  how,  in  so  small  an  inn, 
there  could  be  found  so  many  waiters,  and  of 
such  distinguished  manners.  The  mystery 
was  soon  disclosed.  One  day,  one  of  the 
ladies  came  to  wait  on  us,  a dish  and  plate  in 
hand.  She  remained  immovable ; she  raised 
her  eyes  to  heaven,  and  then  turned  them  on 
us,  and  then  lowered  them.  One  of  the  offi- 
cers, observing  this,  inquired  what  great  af- 
fair preoccupied  her  mind.  ‘I  revere  the 
Pope,’  said  she,  ‘as  the  Vicar  of  Jesus 
Christ ; I regard  these  gentlemen  as  succes- 
sors of  the  disciples  of  Jesus  our  Saviour.’ 
Then  elevating  her  voice,  ‘How  long,”  said 
she,  ‘ will  it  be  in  the  power  of  the  impious 
to  oppress  justice  and  innocence?  When 
will  they  cease  to  call  this  an  enlightened  age, 
and  boast  of  our  country  as  one  in  which  the 
rights  of  men  are  guarded?  When  wiil  they 
cease  to  trample  on  the  sacred  rights  of  na- 
ture and  humanity  ?’  The  officer,  who  had 
provoked  this  reply,  was  at  first  silent,  but 


160 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


seeing  that  she  continued  in  the  same  tone, 
said,  with  an  authoritative  air,  ‘Madam,  it 
belongs  not  to  you  to  decide  on  matters  of 
this  kind.  Out  of  respect  to  your  sex,  I will 
endeavor  to  conceal  the  fault  you  have  com- 
mitted ; but  learn  to  respect  the  government, 
and  not  censure  its  acts ; and  now  leave  this 
apartment^  and  be  seen  here  no  more.’ 

“ The  noble  lady  retired  in  silence,  and  the 
good  humor  of  the  officer  soon  returned. 
Nevertheless,  the  landlord  received  a severe 
reprimand,  and  the  surveillance  became  still 
more  rigorous.” 

The  situation  of  the  Pope  became  more 
mournful.  He  spoke  but  seldom,  and  found 
consolation  in  nothing  but  prayer.  Notwith- 
standing, they  wished  him  to  journey  on 
again,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  a delay 
was  granted,  until  a carriage  could  be  sent 
for  him.  General  Muller  ordered  that  a phy- 
sician of  Grenoble  should  accompany  the 
Pope, 

But  the  inhumanity  of  Berard,  and  a com- 
missary from  Gap,  put  an  end  to  these  mat- 
ters. The  latter  had  scarcely  arrived  at 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  161 

BriancoQ  when  he  sent  an  envoy  to  say,  that 
if  Pius  VI.  refused  to  depart,  he  should  be 
dragged  from  his  bed.  In  vain  the  physician 
of  the  hospital  gave  a certificate  saying,  that 
the  Pope  was  reduced  to  such  a state  that  to 
force  him  to  resume  his  journey  would  com- 
promise his  life.  “ That,”  replied  the  com- 
missary, ‘‘  is  one  of  their  usual  impostures  ; 
the  day  after  to-morrow,  he  shall  depart,  dead 
or  alive !” 

In  truth,  on  the  day  named — ^June  27, 
1799 — the  Holy  Father  was  transported  to 
the  gates  of  the  city.  They  placed  him  on  a 
cart.  Father  Fantini  at  his  side,  and  at  his 
back  two  domestics,  to  hold  him.  The  mili- 
tary were  called  out  to  put  a check  on  the 
people,  who  murmured  loudly  at  the  Pope’s 
departure. 

His  Holiness  was  no  longer  conscious,  and 
Father  Fantini  was  obliged  to  yield  his  place 
to  a domestic,  young  and  strong,  who  could 
support  the  agonized  Pope* 

14# 


162 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


The  inhuman  Commissary  did  not  wish 
him  to  enter  Embrun;  but  the  population, 
coming  out  to  meet  him  in  numbers,  he  dared 
not  resist  their  entreaties.  The  Holy  Father 
had  recovered  his  consciousness.  It  was  the 
29th  of  June,  the  festival  of  SS.  Peter  and 
Paul.  The  Holy  Father  desired  that  the 
Holy  Sacrifice  should  be  offered ; btit  they 
dared  not  comply  with  his  request  for  fear 
of  irritating  still  more  the  Commissary,  who 
could  not  endure  any  thing  pertaining  to  re- 
ligion. 

They  now  encountered  the  carriages  that 
had  been  sent  from  Grenoble  with  Doctor 
Duchadoz.  The  Doctor,  a mild  and  consid- 
erate man,  arrested  the  cart  in  which  the 
Pope  was,  and  seemed  alarmed  at  the  languid 
state  in  which  he  found  the  Pontiff.  He  was 
carefully  conducted  as  far  as  Gap ; and  the 
Doctor  there  decided  that  it  would  be  impos- 
sible for  His  Holiness  to  continue  his  journey 
until  the  2d  of  July. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  163 

July  1st  found  Pius  YL  much  better.  Such 
a change,  the  Doctor  said,  was  almost  mira- 
culous. 

A noble  and  pious  lady  of  Grenoble,  the 
Marchioness  of  Yaux,  had  solicited  and  ob- 
tained the  favor  of  receiving  the  Sovereign 
Pontiff  He  arrived  there  July  6th,  followed 
by  an  immense  concourse  of  people. 

At  the  foot  of  the  stairs  that  led  to  his 
apartments,  the  Holy  Father  found  the  faith- 
ful companions  of  his  exile.  On  perceiving 
them  a sweet  smile  animated  his  countenance. 
Raising  his  eyes  to  heaven,  and  joining  his 
trembling  hands,  he  thanked  God  for  this 
reunion. 

The  Marchioness  de  Yaux,  who  received 
the  Holy  Father,  was  much  agitated.  “ Ah,” 
said  she,  “ I am  not  worthy  to  receive  in  my 
house  the  Yicar  of  Jesus  Christ.  How  shall 
I return  thanks  for  the  insetimable  favor 
granted  me  ?” 

The  Commissary  of  the  department  pro- 


164 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


menaded  through  the  Pope^s  apartmeutis  with 
hat  on.  He  approached  Pius  VI.  with  head 
uncovered,  and  addressed  to  him  a few  words ; 
then  replacing  his  hat,  continued  his  prome- 
nade. The  Holy  Father  inquired  the  name 
of  the  lady  that  had  received  him,  and  was 
informed  that  he  had  seen  Madame  de  Vaux. 
He  desired  to  see  her.  She  returned  imme- 
diately, and  fell  at  the  feet  of  the  Pontiff, 
which  she  bathed  with  her  tears,  without 
being  able  to  utter  a word. 

Below  stairs  a vast  assemblage  demanded 
the  happiness  of  seeing  the  Pope.  The  Com- 
missary, troubled  by  this  excitement,  lowered 
the  curtains  of  the  apartment ; but  the  irri- 
tated multitude  cried  out,  “ Away  with  the 
Commissary ; •we  wish  to  see  the  Pope.^’ 

The  Commissary  was  advised,  in  order  to 
calm  the  excitement,  to  transport  the  Pope, 
for  a few  minutes,  to  the  balcony.  He  agreed 
to  the  proposition,  cursing  what  he  called 
their  fanaticism. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  165 

Pius  VL  was  habited  in  his  white  semer  and 
red  mantle.  The  Commissary,  with  hat  on, 
stood  near  him.  The  immense  crowd  im- 
plored his  benediction.  It  was  a spectacle 
majestic  and  consoling.  Beholding  the  Com- 
missary, the  multitude  exclaimed,  “ Off  with 
the  hat ; away  with  the  Commissary.” 

The  delay  at  Grenoble  was  of  four  days. 
It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  it  was  agreed 
that  the  traveling  companions  of  the  Holy 
Father  should  follow  him  to  Valence.  Through 
the  interposition  of  Muller  and  the  Spanish 
Envoy,  it  was  decided  that  the  suite  of  His 
Holiness  should  precede  him,  and  that  shortly 
after  he  should  rejoin  them  at  Valence. 

Pius  VI.  quitted  Grenoble,  July  10.  When 
descending  the  stairs  from  his  apartment, 

Madame and  her  two  daughters  fell  at 

his  feet,  shedding  torrents  of  tears.  “What 
can  I do  for  you?”  said  the  Holy  Father. 
“We  are,”  said  the  mother,  “three  humble 
servants  of  the  Lord : we  have  been  concealed 


166 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


since  yesterday  in  this  house,  in  the  hopes  of 
receiving  the  benediction  of  the  visible  head 
of  the  Church.” 

When  leaving  the  city,  he  passed  near  a 
prison,  in  which  were  confined  a number  of 
ecclesiastics.  His  Holiness  was  informed  of 
this  fact,  and  blessed  them  as  he  passed.  In- 
credible demonstrations  of  respect  were  paid 
him.  Young  girls,  dressed  in  white,  went 
before  his  carriage,  strewing  the  way  with 
flowers. 

On  his  arrival  at  the  next  village,  all  the 
faithful  desired  the  happiness  of  entertaining 
the  Holy  Father.  The  preference  was  given 
to  a rich  citizen,  who  inhabited  the  finest 
mansion  in  the  village.  He  observed  that  in 
regard  to  the  Pope,  he  should  be  treated  with 
all  decorum,  and  that  he  should  be  as  free 
from  all  disturbance  and  unpleasant  events 
as  if  dwelling  in  the  house  of  a fanatic. 

His  wife  borrowed  many  pious  pictures, 
and  decked  the  apartments  with  exquisite 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  167 

taste.  The  master  of  the  house  amused  him- 
self with  her  zeal,  and  said,  laughingly,  “ The 
Pope  is  but  a man ; it  is  only  the  credulity 
of  weak  minds  that  creates  his  grandeur.” 

When  Pius  VI.  arrived,  his  host  hurried 
to  receive  him.  lie  witnessed  the  long:  and 
painful  operation  of  lifting  him  from  the  car- 
riage. Ilis  heart  was  deeply  moved;  but 
when  he  saw  the  serenity  and  patience  that 
manifested  itself  in  the  countenance  of  His 
Holiness,  he  fell  on  his  knees  and  asked  his 
blessing ; afterwards  made  his  confession,  and 
repaired  by  a life  of  merits  and  good  works 
for  his  long  wanderings. 


^ VI  ■ - f -i  /-  ■ );  - i /■■  •'■' 

' ■ ■ ■ ^ ^v.,  . r,. 

-v  j^  fti  j-  : -:-:  •. 

.;, . •- -i'-.::  v r:*^  -^d  w;--vv 

^ Af.90L:  U 

.■:>-V(f''#¥3i^.-(  .,5 


: V-  - f ' , • ;■  .*>  . 

• • ■"  -riV?  'T^K. 


m 

July  14,  the  Vicar  of  Jesus  Christ  was  re- 
ceived with  respect  by  the  inhabitants  of  Va- 
lence ; but  as  soon  as  he  entered  the  lodgings 
prepared  for  him  in  the  citadel,  the  central 
administration  declared  him  under  arrest. 
The  new  Commissary,  Cornier,  was  an  excel- 
lent man ; he  desired  that  the  Holy  Father 
should  drive  out,  and  receive  visits;  but  his 
praiseworthy  intentions  were  completely  pa- 
ralyzed by  the  obstinacy  of  the  administra- 
tion. This  administration  even  questioned 
the  propriety  of  allowing  the  ecclesiastics 
who  accompanied  the  Pope  to  offer  the  Holy 
Sacrifice ; but  they  dared  not  oppose  it  alto- 
gether, and  by  the  attention  of  the  Commis- 
sary a chapel  was  soon  prepared.  The  ad- 
15 


170 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


miaistratiori  demanded  the  keys.  Cornier 
suggested  that  they  should  close  the  doors, 
without  locking  them ; so  they  continued  to 
say  Mass. 

Boveran,  one  of  the  administrators,  took 
no  part  in  these  vexations,  but  visited  the 
Prelates  every  day,  and  employed  every 
means  to  ameliorate  the  bitter  lot  of  the 
Pontiff. 

The  health  of  Pius  YI.  was  much  im- 
proved. He  recited  his  office  daily,  heard 
two  Masses,  and  found  in  prayer  and  contem- 
plation a celestial  aliment  for  his  soul.  He 
manifested  a lively  devotion  to  St.  Peter.  In 
the  afternoon  he  suffered  more,  but  was  able 
at  night  to  recite  the  rosary. 

Still  another  grief  was  added  to  the  many 
that  he  had  borne  so  well.  Labrador,  who 
had  shown  himself  so  generous  and  devoted, 
now  demanded  payment  for  the  favors  soli- 
cited from  the  Court  of  Madrid.  His  Holi- 
ness acquiesced  in  all  that  his  conscience  per- 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VL  171 

mitted,  but  remained  inflexible  concerning 
the  rest.  Labrador  insisted.  “ Monsieur,” 
said  the  Pope,  “for  all  the  monarchs  in  the 
world,  I would  not  act  contrary  to  my  con- 
science ; and  to  please  men  I will  not  offend 
God,  to  whom  I shall  soon  go,  to  render  an 
exact  account  of  my  life.” 

He  then  informed  him  that  to  lose  the 
support  of  Spain  would  be  to  subject  himself 
and  suite  to  extreme  want.  “Let  no  one 
believe,”  said  the  generous  old  man,  “ that  I 
am  capable  of  selling  my  conscience  to  pro- 
long my  life.  Necessaries  will  never  be 
wanting  to  those  who  put  their  trust  in 
Providence.” 

Thus  an  end  was  put  to  all  negotiation ; 
and  the  Chevalier  Labrador  continued  his 
kind  offices  no  longer. 

July  22,  the  Directory  decreed  that  the 
Pope  should  be  removed  to  Dijon.  This 
order  was  directed  to  Cornier,  who  appealed 
to  Dr.  Blein  to  report  on  the  state  of  the 


172 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


prisoner's  health.*^  The  physician  attested,  by 
writing,  the  extreme  situation  in  which  he 
found  the  Holy  Father.  Cornier  sent  this 
certificate  to  the  departmental  administration, 
and  also  sent  a copy  to  the  Directory. 

Cornier  was  dismissed,  and  the  name  of 
Boveron  effaced  from  the  list  of  administra- 
tors. It  was  necessary  to  inform  Pius  VI. 
of  the  departure.  “Whatever  God  orders 
will  happen,”  said  he ; “I  had  hoped  to  die 
here,  but  His  will  be  done.” 

The  new  Commissary  now  came  to  an- 
nounce that  the  orders  of  the  Directory  were 
positive,  and  that  His  Holiness  must  proceed 
immediately.  But  Providence  decided  this 
time  that  the  desires  of  his  persecutors  should 
not  be  accomplished. 

August  16,  1799,  the  holy  Pontiff  swooned 
away,  and  fell  into  a kind  of  lethargy.  The 
physicians  were  called,  and  held  a consulta- 
tion. The  commissaries  and  members  of  the 
administration  came  in  a body,  to  assure 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  17c5 

themselves  of  the  true  situation  of  the  august 
invalid.  August  18,  he  revived  a little,  and 
wished  to  recite  his  office,  but  he  repeated, 
disconnectedly  and  irregularly,  psalms  which 
he  knew  by  heart.  They  wrote  to  Grenoble 
for  Duchadoz,  who  arrived  shortly  thereafter, 
and  took  up  his  lodgings  in  the  citadel.  Au- 
gust 27,  the  Holy  Father  was  conscious  and 
serene ; he  desired  that  the  Holy  Viaticum 
should  be  administered  to  him ; he  was 
placed  in  his  arm-chair,  and  after  having 
made  his  confession,  he  was  dressed  in  his 
rochet,  mosetta  and  stole. 

Monseigneur  Spina  preceded  the  ecclesias- 
tics, who  bore  lighted  candles,  to  carry  to 
His  Holiness  the  Holy  Eucharist.  The  Pope 
bared  his  head,  and  remained  some  time  in 
adoration  before  the  Saviour  of  men.  A 
Prelate  recited,  in  his  name,  the  profession 
of  Faith.  Pius  VI.  yielded  a ready  atten- 
tion, and  by  an  inclination  of  the  head,  ad- 
hered to  all  that  the  Prelate  said.  He  recp 
15* 


174: 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


ted  the  Confiteor,  and  thrice  repeated  the 
“ Demine  non  sum  dignus.’’ 

During  his  thanksgiving,  his  eyes  were 
fixed  on  the  crncifix.  He  asked  pardon  of 
God  for  his  faults,  and  conjured  the  divine 
mercy  to  apply  the  merits,  passion  and  death 
of  Jesus  to  himself.  He  rejoiced  that  the  end 
of  his  pilgrimage  had  nearly  arrived,  and 
that  he  was  about  to  receive  his  immortal 
crown. 

August  27,  the  administrators  repaired  to 
the  citadel.  Duchadoz  informed  them  that 
he  had  no  hopes  of  the  recovery  of  the  Pope. 
One  of  the  administrators  inquired  if  his 
body  could  not  be  transported  to  Italy.  Mon- 
seigneur Spina  answered,  that  this  demand 
would  be  made  at  the  proper  time.  One  of 
the  members  of  the  administration  had  pro- 
posed that  the  body  of  Pius  VI.  should  be 
buried  in  quick  time,  to  deprive  the  fanatics 
of  his  relics ; but  this  plan  was  given  over, 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  175 

** since  the  superstitious/’  said  he,  “would 
contend  even  for  his  ashes.” 

In  the  afternoon,  the  Holy  Father  prayed 
with  extreme  fervor.  He  repeated  with  joy 
these  words  of  the  royal  prophet : “ In  Thee 
have  I hoped,  0 God  ; let  me  never  be  con- 
founded !” 

August  28,  the  physicians  judged  that  the 
time  had  arrived  to  administer  the  Sacrament 
of  Extreme  Unction.  Pius  VI.,  on  receiving 
the  information,  was  filled  with  joy.  Mon- 
seigneur Spina  had  provided  himself  with 
holy  oil  at  Floretice,  and  commenced  the  ad- 
ministration. Scarcely  had  he  recited  the 
first  prayers  prescribed  by  the  ritual,  when 
the  Pope  signed  to  him  to  speak  softly. 
They  placed  in  his  hands  a crucifix,  which 
he  raised  to  his  lips  and  kissed  tenderly. 

Towards  the  middle  of  the  following  night, 
he  experienced  great  difficulty  in  breathing ; 
his  right  hand  could  no  longer  retain  the  era 


176 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


cifix,  and  he  placed  it  in  his  left.  The  Pre- 
lates and  ecclesiastics  surrounded  his  bed,  and 
the  Pope  gazed  on  them  with  affection  and 
gratitude. 

His  confessor  then  suggested  to  him  that 
he  should  imitate,  in  a particular  manner,  his 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  who,  whilst  bleeding 
on  his  cross,  prayed  for  his  executioners.  His 
Holiness  made  an  effort  to  speak.  He  utter- 
ed, in  an  intelligible  manner,  these  words : 
“0,  my  God,  pardon  them!  Domine,  ig- 
nasce  illis  1”  These  were  his  last  words.  He 
afterwards  received  absolution  and  the  bene- 
diction, in  artkulo  mortis.  Father  Fantini 
commenced  the  prayers  for  the  agonizing; 
he  ceased  for  a moment,  and  the  Holy  Father 
raised  his  right  hand,  and  gave  his  assistants 
his  triple  benediction.  After  this  proof  of 
paternal  affection  from  Pius  VI.,  his  arm  fell 
on  the  bed;  he  remained  motionless;  the 
crucifix  escaped  from  his  hands,  and  after  a 
death-agony  of  a few  moments,  he  ceased  to 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI.  177 

breathe.  Pius  VI.  departed  this  life  August 
29,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age. 

Notwithstanding  the  evil  inclinations  of 
the  departmental  administration,  the  body  of 
Pius  YL  was  embalmed  with  care,  and  de- 
posited in  a leaden  coffin,  which  was  encased 
in  another  of  walnut.  His  remains  were  ex- 
posed for  some  time  in  the  chapel  of  the  cita- 
del, where  Masses  and  the  offices  for  the  dead 
were  celebrated,  with  all  the  solemnity  that 
the  circumstances  permited. 

Pius  VI.  was  pronounced  great  by  his  dig- 
nity,  great  by  his  virtues,  and  greater  still  by 
his  death. 

To  give  some  idea  of  the  impressions  pro- 
duced by  the  death  of  this  venerable  Pontiff, 
we  will  quote  two  extracts  taken  from  the 
journals  then  printed  at  Paris : 

“ The  death  of  Pius  VI.  has,  in  a measure, 
placed  a seal  on  the  glory  of  modern  philoso- 
phy. When  we  recall  the  numerous  attacks 
made  in  this  century  against  the  pontifical 
throne  we  cannot  help  admitting  t*  the 


178 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


triumph  of  philosophy  had  not  been  so  great, 
if  it  had  not  dragged  a Pope  behind  its  car. 
To  crown  its  enterprises,  it  was  necessary  that 
the  exterminating  genius,  that  has  mingled 
the  ruins  of  the  altars  with  the  blood  of 
priests ; that  has  sported  with  their  corpses 
in  those  horrible  days  of  September,  and  pre- 
cipitated them  in  numbers  in  the  waters  of 
the  Loire  and  of  the  ocean,  should  direct  her 
car  towards  the  capital  of  the  Christian  world, 
and  under  the  roof  of  the  Vatican,  reduce 
the  Sovereign  Pontiff  to  slavery.  Let  re- 
ligion shed  in  secret  pious  tears  over  the 
body  of  a revered  Pontiff.  Philosophy  has 
triumphed  by  having  attached  the  tri-colored 
cockade  to  the  pontifical  tiara;  by  having 
planted  the  municipal  ensigns  on  the  tomb  of 
the  Pope,  and  disposing  of  his  remains  in  un- 
hallowed ground.  But  what  fruit  has  it  pro- 
duced? Had  it  need  to  add  to  its  many 
titles  the  guilt  of  this  death  ? Was  it  neces- 
sary to  render  itself,  in  some  measure,  guilty 
of  a new  assassination  ? for  if  it  had  not 
placed  the  Pontiff*  on  the  scaffold,  it  had 
counted  his  years,  and  impatiently  waited  his 
last  sigh.  The  inconvenience  and  fatigues 
of  the  journeys,  hastened  the  too  slow  death 
of  its  victim.  It  is  vain  to  repulse  the  accu- 
sation. Already  has  ix)steTity  placed  Pius 
VI.  among  the  martyrs  of  modern  philoso- 
phy. 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


179 


“ Philosophers  believed  that  in  presenting 
Pius  YI.  to  the  public,  deprived  of  his  dig- 
nity, and  reduced  to  the  condition  of  a pris- 
oner, he  would  become  an  object  of  disgust. 
Why  could  they  not  perceive  that  his  mis- 
fortunes, in  the  end,  would  render  him  more 
glorious;  and  that  all  the  magnificence  of 
the  Holy  Faflier — all  the  splendor  and  pomp 
of  the  Yaticari — were  eclipsed  by  the  humble 
dwelling  that  served  him  as  a prison  ? Could 
they  not  perceive  that  these  privations  ren- 
dered him  more  august  than  ever,  and  that 
he  was  less  great,  and  less  venerable,  when 
performing  the  most  majestic  ceremonies  un- 
der his  canopy,  than  in  the  midst  of  that 
troop  of  armed  men,  who  dragged  him  from 
place  to  place  as  a malefactor?  We  say 
nothing  of  the  cortegd,  with  which  religion 
surrounded  this  august  prisoner,  nor  of  the 
homage  that  was  rendered  him.  His  misfor- 
tunes, his  virtues,  his  innocence,  and  his  gray 
hairs,  obtained  for  him  respect  and  compas- 
sion. The  philosophers  believed  that  in  pos- 
sessing themselves  of  his  person,  they  would 
annihilate  his  power,  which  cannot  be  de- 
stroyed even  by  death.  Death  left  in  their 
hands  only  an  inanimate  body;  and  already 
the  name  of  his  successor  is  inscribed  in  the 
Book  of  Eternal  Life.” 

The  second  extract,  printed  in  the  journal 


160 


PONTIFICATE  AND 


“Indispensable/^  October  4,  1799,  had  been 
addressed  to  this  journal  by  a Protestant  of 
Geneva : 

“ Citizen : Virtue,  suffering  and  in  adver- 
sity, awakens  in  every  honest  soul  a tender 
affection,  irrespective  of  difference  in  religion. 
I have  experienced  these  sentiments  on  read- 
ing the  incidents  of  the  persecution  excited 
against  the  glorious  Pius  VL  Although  a 
stranger  to  the  religion  of  which  he  was  the 
visible  head,  I have  felt  deeply  the  indignities 
offered  him ; at  an  age,  too,  that  should  have 
excited  the  respect  of  people  the  most  fero- 
cious. My  heart  is  moved,  deeply  affected 
at  the  cruelty  of  these  philanthropists,  as 
they  call  themselves,  who,  under  the  beauti- 
ful appellation  of  friends  to  God  and  men, 
manifest,  by  the  martyrdom  to  which  they 
condemn  the  true  representative  of  God,  how 
little  affection  they  have  for  men. 

“ They  have  covered  their  own  memory 
with  ignominy,  and  caused  palms  to  flourish 
on  the  tomb  of  Pius  VI.  Future  generations 
will  admire,  as  does  the  present,  the  magnan- 
imity, courage  and  constancy  of  this  glorious 
martyr,  who,  before  sleeping. in  death,  par- 
doned his  executioners,  and  called  down  on 
their  heads  the  blessings  of  heaven. 

“The  Catholic  will  return  thanks  for  the 


CAPTIVITY  OF  PIUS  VI. 


181 


victory  of  the  Head  of  his  Church ; and  the 
Christians  of  different  communions  will  see 
clearly  where  the  true  Church  is  to  be  found. 
The  weight  of  years  incline  me  to  the  tomb, 
and  I cannot  hope  for  myself  a long  future  ; 
but  a secret  presentiment  informs  me,  that 
my  children  will  see  the  happy  day  when  the 
eyes  of  the  citizens  will  open  to  admit  the 
light  of  truth,  and  demand  admittance  into 
the  fold  of  Christ,  to  which  I belong  by  de- 
sire, and  from  which  my  ancestors  separated 
only  to  attach  themselves  to  men  governed 
by  the  spirit  of  pride,  independence  and  tl  *e 
most  shameful  passions 


A GLANCE  AT  THE  CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


After  the  perusal  of  the  history  of  the 
pontificate  of  Pius  VI.,  we  can  not  avoid 
casting  a retrospective  glance  on  the  Catholic 
Church,  that  for  eighteen  hundred  and  forty 
years  has  been  attacked  by  human  passions 
and  by  the  temptations  of  hell,  but  has  ever 
been  victorious,  according  to  the  promise  of 
her  Divine  Founder. 

Ark  of  the  Covenant,  out  of  which  there 
is  no  salvation : Brilliant  Light,  that  enlight- 
ens the  world;  the  Church  oJffers,  in  her 
origin  and  in  her  duration,  all  the  characters 
of  truth,  grandeur  and  immutability. 

What  consolation  to  the  children  of  God! 
and  what  conviction  of  the  truth  of  the 
183 


184 


A GLAIVCE  AT  THE 


Church,  when  they  see  the  Sovereign  Pontiff, 
who  to-day  so  worthily  fills  the  most  hono- 
rary post  in  the  Church,  has  succeeded  to  the 
succession  established  by  Jesus  Christ  since 
the  time  of  Peter.  What  a succession ! what 
a marvelous  chain! 

This  succession  no  heresy,  no  sect,  no  so- 
ciety, but  the  true  Church  of  GtOD  can  show. 
False  religionists  have  imitated  the  Church 
in  many  things,  and  above  all,  in  sajdng  that 
their  societies  were  founded  by  God.  If  God 
created  man,  if  He  created  him  to  His  own 
image,  He  did  not  disdain  to  teach  him  the 
means  by  which  he  might  serve  Him.  Every 
sect  that  fails  to  show  this  succession  is  not 
from  God. 

In  this  respect,  all  sects  and  societies  that 
have  arisen  show  their  inferiority.  For  ex- 
ample, the  false  prophet  of  Arabia  maintained 
that  he  had  been  sent  by  God.  After  having 
deceived  an  ignorant  people,  he  profited  by 
the  divisions  among  his  neighbors,  to  extend, 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


185 


by  force  of  arms,  a sensual  religion.  He  was 
unable  to  show  any  real  or  apparent  connec- 
tion with  past  ages. 

Fearing  that  they  would  seek  in  the  Scrip- 
tures of  the  Christians  for  proofs  of  his  mis- 
sions, similar  to  those  that  Jesus  Christ  found 
in  the  writings  of  the  Jews,  he  said  that  the 
Christians  and  Jews  had  always  forged  their 
books.  In  the  same  manner  the  heresiarchs, 
who  have  founded  new  sects,  have  endeavored 
to  render  the  faith  more  easy,  by  denying 
those  mysteries  that  can  not  be  comprehended 
by  human  reason.  They  have  dazzled  men 
by  their  eloquence,  by  their  apparent  piety, 
and  seduced  them  by  their  novelty  and  licen- 
tiousness; but  notwithstanding,  they  can  show 
no  public  miracle,  and  their  novelty  has  al- 
ways been  to  them  a misfortune. 

It  is  evident  to  all,  that  the  various  sects 

that  have  been  established  are  separated  from 

the  ancient  Church  that  Jesus  has  founded, 

in  which  St.  Peter  and  his  successors  hold 
15* 


186 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


the  first  place.  The  period  of  their  separa- 
tion is  so  evident,  that  the  heretics  them- 
selves dare  not  claim  uninterrupted  succes- 
sion. 

The  Catholic  Church  preserves  this  succes- 
sion, and  it  can  never  be  denied.  Another 
proof  of  the  truth  of  the  Church  is,  that  she 
has  always  been  victorious  over  her  enemies, 
and  to  this  may  be  added  the  continual  pun- 
ishment of  the  Jews,  who  have  not  received 
the  promises  of  Christ,  made  to  their  fathers. 

Thus  we  have  numerous  proofs  that  our 
religion  is  as  ancient  as  the  world,  and  con 
sequently  that  it  was  founded  by  Him  who 
formed  the  universe. 

It  does  not,  then,  astonish  us,  that  God 
has  proposed  for  our  belief  so  many  articles 
that  are  worthy  of  Him;  but  that  having 
established  the  faith  on  an  authority  so  firm 
and  manifest,  so  many  should  remain  blind 
and  incredulous 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


187 


Our  disorderly  passions  and  indomitable 
pride  are  the  cause.  We  prefer  to  risk  every 
thing  rather  than  obey ; we  prefer  to  remain 
in  ignorance  rather  than  confess  it;  we  are 
better  pleased  to  nourish  vain  curiosity  and 
indulge  in  liberty  of  belief  than  to  bow  to 
divine  authority.  But  God  permits  this  for 
the  instruction  of  His  children.  But  for  this 
we  would  not  understand  the  awful  corrup- 
tion of  our  nature,  and  the  abyss  from  which 
Jesus  has  drawn  us.  The  incredulity  of  the 
one  humiliates  the  other;  and  the  rebels  who 
oppose  the  designs  of  God  cause  Him  to 
manifest  his  power,  by  which,  independently 
of  all  else.  He  accomplishes  the  promises  that 
He  has  made  to  His  Church. 

These  promises  assure  us  of  a future  life. 
God,  who  has  shown  Himself  so  faithful  in 
all  that  pertains  to  the  present,  will  not  be 
less  faithful  in  accomplishing  that  which  con- 
cerns the  future;  and  the  Church  on  earth 


188 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


will  remain  invincible  up  to  the  time  when 
her  children,  being  assembled,  shall  be  trans- 
ported •to  heaven,  their  true  abode. 

For  those  excluded  from  this  happiness 
eternal  rigor  is  reserved.  After  having  lost, 
by  their  own  fault,  a happy  eternity,  nothing 
will  remain  for  them  but  endless  misery. 

Thus  the  promises  and  menaces  of  God 
are  equally  certain.  We  see  constant  order 
in  the  designs  of  God,  and  a visible  mark  of 
His  power  in  the  perpetual  duration  of  His 
people.  Those  who  are  united  to  the  Church 
and  perform  works  worthy  of  their  faith,  are 
assured  of  eternal  life. 

The  true  Church  has  this  advantage — her 
origin  is  certain,  and  her  traditions  have  de- 
scended to  us  without  interruption.  We  have 
in  our  hands  her  history,  written  by  her  dis- 
ciples— books  more  ancient  than  any  in  the 
world.  Our  religion  rests  not,  then,  on  fa- 
bles, like  the  religion  of  the  ancient  Pagans 
and  the  Greeks. 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


189 


The  poets,  who  were  their  prophets  and 
theologians,  proclaimed  themselves  instructed 
by  the  muses  or  other  divinities,  without  giv- 
ing any  proof.  They  dared  not  cite  any  tes- 
timony to  the  facts  which  they  related. 

GtOD,  in  His  goodness,  has  worked  miracles 
to  recall  us  to  Him.  Miracles  have  been 
worked,  at  times  and  in  places  the  most  pro- 
per to  preserve  His  memory.  Moses  per- 
formed miracles  in  Egypt  before  the  king,  at 
a time  when  the  Egyptians  were  the  most 
learned  and  polished  men  in  the  world.  He 
had  for  witnesses  to  them  an  entire  people, 
whom  he  delivered,  and  afterwards  formed 
laws  for.  Jesas  came  in  the  time  of  Augus- 
tus, the  most  enlightened  century  of  the  Ko 
man  empire. 

Jesus  was  born  in  Judea,  as  predicted  by 
the  prophets.  He  taught  His  doctrine,  and 
performed  the  greater  portion  of  Hs  miracles 
in  Jerusalem,  which  was  the  capital.  He  died 
there,  and  there  His  resurrection  took  place. 


190 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


His  disciples  soon  spread  over  the  Eoman 
empire,  and  a short  time  after  over  the  entire 
world.  They  first  preached  in  the  large  cities 
—in  Antioch,  Alexandria,  and  even  in  Eome. 
They  taught  in  Athens,  Corinth,  and  in  every 
portion  of  Greece,  in  the  cities  the  most  en- 
lightened, the  most  corrupt  and  idolatrous. 

Before  all  nations,  Greeks,  barbarians,  na- 
tions learned  and  ignorant,  Jews  and  Eomans, 
before  people  and  princes,  the  disciples  of 
Jesus  testified  to  what  they  had  seen  with 
their  eyes,  heard  with  their  ears,  and  touched 
with  their  hands;  and  particularly  did  they 
testify  to  His  resurrection.  They  testified  to 
these  facts  against  all  human  reason  and  pru- 
dence, even  to  their  last  breath,  and  to  the 
shedding  of  their  blood.  Behold  the  estab- 
lishment of  Christianity. 

What  has  happened  since?  These  doc- 
trines so  incredible — ^these  morals  so  contrary 
to  the  passions  of  men — ^have  they  been  sus- 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


191 


tained?  Has  there  been  no  void,  no  inter- 
ruption? From  whence  do  we  derive  our 
knowledge?  From  writings  published  from 
age  to  age ; by  traditions  which  have  passed 
from  fathers  to  their  children ; by  solemn 
assemblies  held  in  each  province  and  city, 
and  by  the  exercise  of  this  religion. 

Since  the  founding  of  the  Church  by  SS. 
Peter  and  Paul,  we  have  always  had  a Pope. 
We  have  their  names  from  that  period  until 
the  present.  We  have  a list  of  the  names  of 
the  bishops  of  Jerusalem,  Antioch,  Alexan- 
dria and  Constantinople.  To  come  nearer 
home,  we  know  the  bishops  of  Lyons  since 
the  time  of  SS.  Pothin  and  Irenaeus ; of  Tou- 
louse since  Saturninus;  of  Tours  since  St. 
Gatian ; of  Paris  since  St.  Denis. 

All  the  churches  that  extend  as  far  back 
as  the  remote  ages  show  a succession  of  p^- 
tors,  always  united  with  the  other  churches-, 
and  principally  with  the  church  at  Borne. 


192 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


Every  church  that  possesses  this  advantage 
is  Catholic.  The  true  doctrine  is  that  which 
has  always  been  taught  by  the  Church. 

The  Christian  religion  is  purely  the  work 
of  God.  We  have  seen  that  it  was  estab- 
lished in  the  Eomati  empire,  and  from  thence 
spread  rapidly,  not  only  without  human  aid, 
but  notwithstanding  the  resistance  of  men. 
From  the  times  of  St.  Irenaeus  and  Tertullian, 
that  is  to  say,  towards  the  end  of  the  second 
century,  the  Christians  were  found  in  every 
direction.  Whence  came  they?  Were  they 
not  the  same  people  that  for  ages  were  plunged 
in  idolatry  and  debauch  ? What  had  changed 
them  thus  suddenly?  ....  Who  had  caused 
them  to  despise  the  customs  of  their  fathers, 
and  to  leave  religions  that  favored  all  their 
passions,  to  embrace  a serious  and  painful 
life?  It  must  have  been  that  they  were 
struck  by  the  miracles  and  virtues  of  those 
TUrho  announced  this  new  religion. 

But  what  did  this  new  religion  promise  ? 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


193 


Only  a future  life,  and  in  this  world  persecu-- 
tion  and  continual  peril.  It  is  well  known 
how  the  Christians  were  treated  during  three 
entire  centuries  ; how  many  thousand  means 
were  employed  by  the  persecutors  to  tempt 
the  disciples  of  Jesus.  The  Greeks  and  Eo- 
mans  knew  how  to  die  for  their  country,  but 
not  for  their  religion.  It  is  true  there  were 
a few  martyrs  among  the  Jews;  but  they 
were  in  possession  of  the  true  religion,  and 
the  Church  honors  them  as  Saints, 

That,  which  was  so  common  among  the 
Christians,  was  regarded  by  philosophers,  and 
with  truth,  as  the  height  of  virtue.  “The 
just,”  said  Plato,  “ is  he  who  seeks  not  to  ap- 
pear good,  but  to  be  so.” 

One  sees  easily,  then,  the  difference  between 
the  true  religion  and  the  false.  Idolatry  fell 
of  itself,  notwithstanding  it  was  upheld  by 
the  public  power.  God  permitted  the  apos- 
tacy  of  the  Emperor  Julian,  who,  with  the 

power  of  the  empire,  and  the  assistance  of 

17 


194 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


philosophy  and  magic,  could  not  reestablish 
Paganism.  Idolatry  breathed  its  last  in  his 
reign,  and  since  that  time  Eome  has  had  but 
Christian  princes.  The  solitaries  of  this  pe- 
riod present  another  marvelous  spectacle. 
Under  this  name  is  comprised  the  ascetics, 
and  at  a later  period  the  anchorites.  We 
may  call  them  martyrs  of  penance.  Their 
penances  were  voluntar}’'  and  long ; they  bore 
their  crosses  manfully  during  a period  of  fifty 
and  sixty  years.  The  lives  of  these  religious 
may  be  regarded  as  a proof  of  the  truth  of 
their  religion,  and  at  the  same  time  as  models 
of  Christian  perfection.  They  were  true  phi- 
losophers ; they  separated  from  the  world 
to  meditate  on  celestial  things ; they  re- 
nounced marriage  and  the  society  of  men,  to 
deliver  themselves  from  the  temptations  and 
business  of  the  world,  and  to  contemplate 
God;  to  meditate  on  His  mercies,  the  pre- 
cepts of  His  holy  law,  and  to  purify  their 
hearts. 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


195 


Morality  was  their  only  study.  They  lis- 
tened with  docility  to  their  instructions; 
many  of  them  knew  not  how  to  read.  They 
concealed  themselves  as  much  as  possible 
from  men,  and  sought  only  , to  please  God. 
It  was  only  by  their  miracles  that  they  were 
known.  Of  the  lives  of  multitudes  of  these 
solitaries  we  would  be  entirely  ignorant,  if 
God  had  not  excited  the  curiosity  of  some, 
who  went  in  search  of  them,  and  caused  them 
to  speak. 

They  were  reduced  to  extreme  poverty; 
they  gained  by  labor  the  little  that  they  re- 
quired for  sustenance,  and  the  remainder  was 
given  in  charity.  Some  owned  small  farms, 
which  they  cultivated  themselves;  but  the 
most  perfect  preferred  simple  occupations,  by 
which  they  gained  sujficient  to  live  from  day 
to  day. 

Each  religious  remained  attached  to  his 
community,  and  each  anchorite  to  his  cell. 
Their  greatest  care  was  to  render  their  souls 


196 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


tranquil;  they  avoided  fine  situations  and 
agreeable  dwellings,  and  remained  mostly  in 
jheir  cells.  They  esteemed  labor  necessary, 
not  only  that  they  might  not  be  a burden  to 
others,  but  that  they  might  preserve  humility 
and  avoid  ennui. 

Their  communities  were  numerous.  They 
held  it  as  a maxim  that  they  should  not  be 
multiplied  in  the  same  place,  because  of  the 
difficulty  of  finding  Superiors,  and  also  to 
avoid  jealousy  and  divisions.  Each  commu- 
nity was  governed  by  an  Abbe,  and  some- 
times by  a Superior  Gieneral,  who  had  the 
superintendence  of  several  monasteries,  under 
the  name  of  Exarch ; but  they  were  all, 
without  a single  exception,  under  the  juris- 
diction of  Bishops. 

Such  were  the  monasteries,  so  often  praised 
by  St.  Chrysostom,  St.  Augustin,  and  by  all 
the  Fathers. 

Still  more  perfect  models  of  Christians 
were  found  in  the  Bishops,  Priests,  etc.,  who. 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


197 


after  the  example  of  the  Apostles,  practiced 
the  interior  life  in  the  midst  of  the  world, 
without  being  sustained,  like  the  religious,  by 
the  practice  of  silence,  and  flying  all  danger- 
ous occasions.  “We  are  Christians  for  our- 
selves,” said  St.  Augustin,  “ and  Bishops  for 
you.”  In  general,  each  government  had  for 
its  end  the  good  of  the  governed,  and  not  of 
him  who  governed;  as  the  physician  propo- 
ses, not  to  cure  himself,  but  the  sick.'  They 
possessed  that  spirit  of  abnegation  and  sacri- 
fice that  characterizes  the  disciples  of  Jesus; 
they  renounced  all  temporal  interest  in  be- 
coming Christians;  they  were  neither  ambi- 
tious nor  avaricious,  and  saw  no  advantage 
accrue  to  them  from  governing  others.  On 
the  contrary,  it  exposed  them  to  great  peril, 
such  as  commanding  and  being  obeyed.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  resistance  of  those  whom 
they  might  have  to  correct,  if  they  were  re- 
fused their  just  demands,  the  pain  of  men- 
acing or  punishing — and  in  the  end,  persecu- 
17* 


198 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


tioa  and  martyrdom — for  the  Bishops  and 
Priests  were  most  exposed.  They  had  no 
motive,  then,  but  an  ardent  charity,  or  sub- 
mission to  the  will  of  God,  which  could  oblige 
them  to  prefer  the  pain  of  serving  others,  to 
the  convenience  of  being  served. 

For  the  election  of  such  Bishops,  the  great- 
est precautions  were  taken.  It  was  ordinarily 
to  the  eldest  and  most  experienced  men  that 
such  government  was  confided. 

The  Bishops  thus  chosen  lived  poorly ; 
some  labored  with  their  own  hands,  and 
others  were  called  from  a monastic  life,  pre- 
serving their  practices.  The  title  of  Servants 
of  the  Servants  of  the  Lord,  taken  generally 
by  these  venerable  men,  indicated  the  senti- 
ments of  profound  humility  with  which  they 
were  penetrated;  they  no  doubt  recalled  to 
mind  these  words  of  the  Evangelist:  “He 
who  would  be  first  among  you,  let  him  be 
the  servant  of  others,  as  the  Son  of  Man 
came  to  serve,  and  not  to  be  served.”  Their 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC.  199 

occupation  was  prayer,  instruction  and  cor- 
rection. 

The  Christian  religion,  said  Fenelon,  con- 
sists in  loving  God.  The  Christian  religion 
taught  by  Jesus,  obliges  us  to  love  God  more 
than  ourselves,  and  to  love  ourselves  only  for 
the  love  of  Him ; it  exacts  the  renunciation 
of  ourselves,  and  compels  us,  through  char- 
ity, to  love  all.  Behold  what  the  spirit  of 
man  could  never  have  invented ! It  was  ne- 
cessary that  a superior  power  should  pro- 
nounce this  sentence  against  self-love.  Chris- 
tianity is  the  complete  overthrow  of  idolatry 
and  self-love — the  establishment  of  the  true 
worship  of  God,  by  supreme  love. 

Prom  what  has  already  been  said,  we  feel 
called  upon  to  prove  that  the  Catholic  Church 
is  the  only  society  that  properly  provides  for 
the  wants  of  men. 

All  men,  but  particularly  the  ignorant, 
have  need  of  an  authority  to  which  they  can 
refer  without  engaging  in  discussions  which 


200 


A GLANCE  AT  THE 


are  beyond  their  capacity.  How  could  a vil- 
lage girl  or  an  artisan  examine  the  original 
texts,  editions  or  versions  of  the  Bible? 
God  would  be  wanting  in  His  care  of  men, 
if  He  had  not  given  them  an  infallible  au- 
thority, to  spare  them  from  this  impossible 
research  and  prevent  their  being  deceived. 

All  the  new  sects  exclaim,  “ Bead,  read 
and  decide The  ancient  Church  says, 
‘‘  Eeason  not,  decide  not ; be  humble  and  do- 
cile. God  has  promised  to  preserve  us  from 
error*” 

Picture  to  yourselves  a paralytic,  who 
wishes  to  leave  his  bed  because  his  house  is 
on  fire.  He  addresses  himself  to  five  men, 
who  say,  “Eise,  run,  pierce  through  the 
crowd,  and  save  yourself  from  the  fire.”  At 
last  he  finds  a sixth  man,  who  says,  “Let 
me  act ; I will  take  you  in  my  arms.”  Be- 
lieves he  the  five  men,  who  charged  him  to 
do  what  they  well  knew  that  he  could  not? 
Would  he  not  rather  believe  in  him  who 


CHURCH  CATHOLIC. 


201 


promised  him  succor  in  proportion  to  his 
strength?  Would  he  not  abandon  himself 
to  the  latter,  and  remain  passive  in  his  arms  ? 

It  is  precisely  in  the  same  manner  that  an 
humble  and  ignorant  man  cannot  listen  to 
the  sects  that  cry  to  him,  Bmd^  reason  and 
decide  when  they  well  know  that  he  is  in- 
capable of  these  acts.  He  is  consoled  in  lis- 
tening to  the  ancient  Church,  that  says, 
“Humble  yourself;  be  docile,  and  trust  in 
the  goodness  of  God,  who  will  not  leave  you 
without  succor.” 


• r.  -r  ' 

;■[  * M,  f ^ • ■■ 

i.  ';V  - ■ ■r't/  J:; 

. ■ - . t i ; ;1  O • ' >1  : • 


I 


CHAEACTEE  OE  MAEKS  OE  THE  TEUE  CHUECH. 

That  Jesus  has  established  a Church,  and 
that  this  Church  is  composed  of  all  the  faith- 
ful who  have  existed  up  to  the  present  time, 
and  of  all  those  who  may  hereafter  exist,  to 
the  end  of  the  world,  is  a thing  well  demon- 
strated. That  He  has  established  but  one,  is 
no  less  certain.  He  has  called  men  of  differ- 
ent conditions  and  countries,  but  united  them 
in  belief  and  doctrine.  If  He  has  sent  the 
“ apostles  to  the  different  Countries  of  the 
world,”  He  has  expressly  charged  them  to 
preach  everywhere  the  same  Gospel ; to  teach 
the  same  doctrine,  and  to  agree  exactly  in 
faith  and  morals.  His  manifest  intention  was 
to  found  his  Church  without  distinction  of 


204  CHARACTER  OR  MARKS 

climate,  country  or  nation,  so  that  however 
dispersed,  believing  the  same  truths,  they 
should  comprise  but  one  Church. 

He  who  believes  not  all  that  has  been 
taught  by  Jesus,  cannot  reach  heaven;  for 
without  faith,  it  is  impossible  to  please  God. 

See  the  sentence  that  Jesus  has  pronounced 
Himself,  against  those  who  hear  not  the 
Church : “ If  he  hear  not  the  Church,  let 
him  be  to  thee  as  the  heathen  and  publican 
that  is  to  say,  as  those  who  have  not  the  faith. 
Refuse  to  believe  a single  article  that  the 
Church  teaches,  and  you  place  yourself  in 
the  condition  of  those  who  believe  none  of 
them;  and  eternal  reprobation  is  your  lot. 
Whoever  transgresses  the  law  in  a single 
point,  is  as  gujty  as  if  he  trangressed  the 
whole.  Our  Divine  Master  gives  no  hope  of 
salvation  but  to  those  who  accept  the  entire 
law.  Those  who  reject  a portion,  shall  be  as 
the  Pagans  ; their  judgment  is  already  pro- 
nounced ; their  reprobation  certain ; from 


OF  THE  TRUE  CHURCH.  205 

/ 

whence  it  is  certain  that  there  is  no  salvation 
out  of  the  true  Church, 

Where,  then,  is  this  true  Church?  This 
is  most  important  to  know.  What  are  its 
distinguishing  marks?  Behold  what  we 
must  endeavor  to  discover,  since  out  of  ix 
there  is  no  salvation.  There  are  certain 
characters  or  marks  which  belong  only  to  the 
true  Church,  and  they  serve  to  distinguish  it 
from  all  others. 

According  to  the  symbol  drawn  up  by  the 
General  Council  of  Constantinople,  and 
which  is  but  an  extension  of  that  of  Nice, 
the  Church  is  One,  Holy,  Catholic,  Apostolic. 
The  four  characters  united,  mark  the  true 
Church.  The  Catholic  Church — that  is  to 
say,  the  societies  of  the  faithful,  that  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  world  recognize  the  Eo- 
man  See  as  the  centre  of  Catholic  unity,  and 
its  Bishop  as  their  head — is  the  only  Church 
that  unites  these  four  characteristics. 


'V' 

- ■>, j 

• <. 

•< 


i 


raiTT  OF  THE  CHUECE 


The  Unity  of  the  Church  consists  in  the 
exterior  profession  of  the  same  faith ; in  the 
participation  of  the  same  sacraments ; in  sub- 
ordination to  legitimate  pastors,  and  in  union 
with  the  visible  head  that  governs  the 
Church. 

“ There  is  but  one  faith, said  St.  Paul. 
The  same  faith  that  Jesus  has  taught  his  dis- 
ciples and  apostles,  this  same  have  they 
preached  to  the  whole  world. 

The  faith  of  the  Church  has  remained 
unaltered,  from  century  to  century.  The 
Church  has  never  suffered  those  under  her 
care  to  profess  other  faith  than  her  own. 

Whatever  libertv  she  may  have  left  to  her 
*207 


208  UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

children,  regarding  points  not  jet  decided  on, 
she  has  always  decided  that,  as  regarded  arti- 
cles of  faith,  there  should  be  but  one  senti- 
menr. 

It  is  clear,  then,  that  to  heretics  this  unity 
does  not  belong.  The  participation  of  the 
same  sacraments  is  another  exterior  mark  by 
which  all  the  members  of  the  Church  are 
distinguished.  The  Church,  in  administer- 
ing the  same  means  of  salvation  to  all  her 
children,  regards  them  as  one  faithful  family, 
however  scattered  they  may  be.  It  is  by  her 
sacraments,  as  well  as  by  her  faith,  that  the 
true  Church  is  one.  It  is  by  baptism  that 
she  admits  her  members.  There  is  but  “ one 
baptism,”  said  the  Apostle ; consequently  the 
Church  has  always  held  it  a crime  to  repeat 
it.  By  this  sacrament,  we  become  new  crea- 
tures in  Christ. 

It  is  to  represent  this  unity  that  the  Eu- 
charist has  been  instituted  by  Jesus,  and  that 
it  is  distributed  to  the  faithful.  As  a sym- 


UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  209 

bol  of  this  unity,  Jesus  is  concealed  in  the 
Eucharist,  under  the  appearance  of  bread — 
several  grains  formed  into  one  mass,  and  in 
the  wine,  several  grapes  forming  one  liquor. 
It  is  to  consummate  this  unity  that  Jesus  con 
ceals  himself  under  these  veils;  and  He 
wishes  that  we  eat  the  same  bread,  and  drink 
of  the  same  chalice,  to  become  but  one  body. 

All  the  other  sacraments  conspire  to  this 
same  unity,  according  to  the  particular  grace 
attached  to  them.  The  signs  and  exterior 
symbols  of  the  sacraments  remain  the  same. 
The  remaining  ceremonies  of  the  Church  can 
vary  or  differ,  according  to  time  and  place ; 
but  the  substance  of  the  sacrament  always 
remains  the  same. 

It  is  in  the  participation  of  these  same  sac- 
raments that  we  belong  to  the  Church,  and 
by  exclusion  from  their  participation  that  the 
Church  cuts  off  from  her  body  those  who 
have  merited  this  separation. 

Submission  to  pastors  is  also  necessary  to 
18* 


210  UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

preserve  this  unity.  In  truth,  the  Church  is 
but  a fold,  under  the  conduct  of  pastors, 
of  whom  Jesus  is  the  Sovereign  Pastor.  It 
is  to  conduct  His  Church  that  He  has  given 
it  other  pastors,  who  submit  to  Himself  as 
the  head,  and  to  whom  He  communicates  His 
power. 

Jesus,  after  choosing  His  Apostles,  selected 
Peter  as  their  chief,  to  be  His  visible  repre- 
sentative on  earth,  after  His  ascension.  Jesus 
has  given  to  Peter  a preeminence,  not  only 
in  honor,  but  in  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
Church,  which  has  descended  to  his  succes- 
sors ; he  has  assured  us  that  His  Church  shall 
always  have  a visible  head  on  earth,  in  the 
chair  of  St.  Peter. 

The  Church  is  one,  says  St.  Cyprian,  al- 
though by  her  fecundity  and  marvelous 
growth,  she  numbers  multitudes  of  the  faith- 
ful ; in  the  same  manner  as  the  multiplicity 
of  branches  to  a tree  hinders  not  the  unity  of 
the  trunk,  the  Church  sheds  the  light  that 


UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  211 

she  has  received  from  God  in  every  direc- 
tion. Yet,  nevertheless,  there  is  but  one 
light ; her  branches  are  everywhere  extended, 
and  in  all  countries  does  she  manifest  the 
fruits  of  her  marvelous  fecundity ; yet  there 
IS  no  division  in  her  body ; she  is  one  com- 
mon mother,  and  her  children  are  nourished 
with  her  tenderest  care. 

From  all  that  has  been  said,  it  is  easy  to 
conclude  that  the  faithful  are  attached  to  the 
body  of  the  Church  by  four  ties;  by  faith, 
the  sacraments,  subordination  to  legitimate 
pastors,  and  unity  with  the  visible  head  of 
the  Church ; and  if  they  detach  themselves 
from  these  ties,  they  belong  no  longer  to  the 
body  of  the  Church.  This  conclusion  answers 
perfectly  to  the  idea  advanced  of  the  unity 
of  the  Church,  when  in  commencing  this  arti- 
cle we  stated  in  what  that  unity  consisted. 

Lastly,  we  will  recall  a few  words  selected 
from  the  Epistle  of  St.  Paul  to  the  Ephesians: 

Are  you  not  one  body  and  one  spirit  in  Je- 


212  UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

sus,  as  you  are  called  in  one  hope  of  your 
calling?  One  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism 
One  God  and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all, 
and  through  all,  and  in  us  all.  But  to  every 
one  of  us  is  given  grace,  according  to  the 
measure  of  the  giving  of  Christ.  And  he 
gave  some  apostles,  and  some  prophets,  and 
other  some  evangelists,  and  other  some  pas- 
tors and  doctors.  Until  we  all  meet  into  the 
unity  of  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
Son  of  God,  unto  a perfect  man,  unto  the 
measure  of  the  age  of  the  fulness  of  Christ. 
That  henceforth  we  be  no  more  children, 
tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried  about  with  ev- 
ery wind  of  doctrine,  by  the  wickedness  of 
men,  by  cunning  craftiness,  by  which  they 
lie  in  wait  to  deceive.  But  doing  the  truth 
in  charity,  we  may  in  all  things  grow  up  in 
Him  who  is  the  head,  even  Christ.” 

Jesus  has  taught  us  a doctrine  by  which 
we  are  to  regulate  our  faith  and  manners: 
He  has  instituted  a determined  number  of 


UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  213 

sacraments ; He  has  clothed  his  pastors  with 
authority  to  govern  His  Church;  He  has 
given  to  these  pastors  a head,  invested  with 
honor  and  jurisdiction.  We  cannot  with- 
draw from  or  contradict  one  of  these  institu- 
tions, without  resisting  Christ,  and  conse- 
quently losing  the  faith. 

“ The  unity  spoken  of  by  St.  Paul  consists 
principally  in  charity,  peace,  and  mutual  tol- 
erance,^^ say  some.  St.  Paul,  it  is  true,  re- 
commended peace,  union  and  concord ; but 
never  was  he  heard  to  order  the  toleration  of 
error;  nor  a revolt  against  the  established 
order  of  the  Church.  It  is  absurd  to  pretend 
that  toleration  of  opinion  causes  unity  of  be- 
lief; and  that  toleration  of  abuses  produces 
unity  of  custom  or  usage.  Can  peace  exist 
without  order?  and  can  order  reign  in  the 
midst  of  confusion,  of  errors,  of  whimsical 
opinions,  of  the  caprices  of  self-love,  of  pride 
and  passion  ? What  order  could  we  hope  for 
in  a world  where  all  commanded  and  none 


214  UNITY  OF  THE  CHUKCH. 

obeyed  ? What  concord  or  harmony  could 
there  be  among  men  actuated  only  by  the 
spirit  of  insubordination  ; each  attributing  to 
himself  the  gift  of  infallibility,  and  author- 
izing him  to  believe  and  act  according  to  his 
fancy,  taste  or. humor. 

Yainly  have  Protestants  endeavored  to  en- 
force unity  of  faith,  by  the  profession  of  cer- 
tain dogmas  that  they  have  called  funda- 
mental. 

All  that  Jesus  has  revealed  is  fundamental 
in  this  sense.  It  is  not  permitted  for  us  to 
reject  a single  article  through  obstinacy  or 
indocility.  Jesus  has  given  us  this  informa- 
tion when  He  said,  “He  who  believes  not 
shall  be  condemned.” 

Protestants  have  had  recourse  to  this  sys- 
tem of  fundamental  articles,  since  without 
them  they  knew  it  would  be  impossible  to 
establish  any  kind  of  unity.  The  principle 
on  which  they  have  based  their  schism  is, 
that  the  holy  Scriptures  contain  all  that  is 


UNITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  215 

necessary  to  be  believed,  and  that  each  indi- 
vidual shall  possess  the  right  of  private  inter- 
pretation. 

The  Catholic  Church  only  can  maintain 
among  her  members,  unity  of  belief,  similarity 
of  faith,  the  practice  of  the  same  rites  and 
the  observance  of  the  same  rules. 

Happy  in  being  members  of  this  Church, 
let  us  return  thanks  to  God  for  this  great 
blessing,  and  beg  of  Him  the  grace  to  profit 
by  it,  since  it  is  not  sufficient  to  eternal  sal- 
vation to  be  in  unity  with  the  Church : we 
must  be  animated  by  her  spirit,  and  live  up 
to  her  regulations. 


t 


'■•I 


sanctut  op  the  chijhch. 

The  second  characteristic  of  the  Church  is 
sanctity.  The  Church  is  holy,  since  she  pos 
sesses  all  that  constitutes  sanctity.  Her  founder 
is  holy,  her  doctrines  are  holy,  her  laws  are 
holy,  her  sacraments  and  rites  are  holy,  her 
spirit  is  holy. 

Jesus,  the  Head  of  the  Church,  is  the  source 
of  all  sanctity.  Jesus  instituted  His  Church 
but  for  man’s  sanctification,  and  He  will  never 
abandon  His  work.  He  has  promised  to  be 
with  us  all  days,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
It  would  he  impious  to  imagine  that  Jesus  has 
not  performed  His  promises. 

The  doctrine  of  the  Church  is  that  of  Jesus 

Himself — the  same  that  He  taught  His  apoa 
217 


218  SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

ties,  and  that  has  been  communicated  by 
them  to  His  Church,  and  that  the  Church  has 
disseminated  throughout  the  universe.  All 
that  the  Church  believes  and  teaches  came 
from  Jesus.  Does  mortal  dare  believe  that 
our  amiable  Saviour  has  ta^Jight  any  thing  that 
is  not  holy?  ^ 

What  more  do  we  require  to  become  holy 
than  to  conform  to  the  doctrine  taught  by 
our  holy  Church? 

She  has  given  us  saints  in  every  state  and 
condition  of  life:  saints  on  the  throne  and  in 
private  life;  saints  in  the  world  and  in  soli- 
tude ; saints  in  the  states  of  celibacy  and 
marriage.  We  see  them  detached  from  the 
goods  of  this  lifcj  and  living  only  for  heaven ; 
fleeing  from  injustice  and  corruption,  serving 
God,  and  walking  before  Him  in  holiness 
and  justice. 

‘‘Judge,”  said  St.  Augustin,  “of  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Church  from  what  she  has  taught 
publicly  from  the  pulpit,  when  multitudes  as- 


SANCTITT  OF  THE  CHURCH  2J9 

sembled  to  learn  how  to  live  holily  in  this 
life,  that  they  might  hereafter  be  happy  in 
heaven/’ 

If  sometimes  you  have  heard  false  doctors 
substitute  their  own  opinions  for  her  holy 
doctrine,  you  have  seen  that  the  Church  has 
silenced  them  as  soon  as  their  erroneous  doc- 
trine was  well  known. 

The  Church  is  the  depository  of  the  Seven 
Sacraments  instituted  by  Jesus.  The  great 
Apostle  has  said  of  baptism,  that  Jesus  puri- 
fies His  Church  by  water,  and  by  the  Word 
of  Life.  What  sanctity  is  communicated  by 
baptism ! Freed  from  sin,  we  become  child- 
ren of  God,  and  have  the  promise  of  eternal 
life.  The  Sacrament  of  Confirmation  strength- 
ens our  faith,  and  renders  us  more  perfect 
Christians.  What  more  powerful  means  of 
salvation  and  sanctity  than  the  Eucharist,  that 
unites  us  intimately  with  God,  not  only  by 
faith,  bat  by  the  real  presence ; that  pre- 
serves in  us  the  spiritual  life ; that  weakens 


220  SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  violence  of  our  passions,  and  becomes  foi 
us  the  pledge  of  eternal  life ! The  tribunal 
of  penance,  where  the  sinner  goes  to  recon- 
cile himself  to  God,  and  humbly  acknowl- 
edge his  faults,  with  the  firm  resolution  of 
correcting  them,  and  of  making  satisfaction 
to  God  and  his  neighbor,  is  it  not  an  indis- 
pensable and  efficacious  means  of  acquiring 
virtue,  and  thereby  sanctifying  ourselves? 
What  more  holy  institution  than  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Extreme  Unction,  that  is  adminis- 
tered to  the  dying  for  their  spiritual  and  cor- 
poral solace,  to  purify  them  from  their  venial 
faults,  and  strengthen  them  to  bear  their 
pains,  and  to  fortify  them  against  the  fear  of 
death,  and  above  all,  against  the  temptations 
of  the  evil  spirit,  and  the  agitations  of  the 
soul,  that  are  so  violent  at  the  close  of  life. 
The  Sacrament  of  Matrimony  is  not  less  holy. 
It  blesses  and  sanctifies  the  union  of  the 
couple,  and  renders  it  indissoluble ; since  it 
had  God  for  its  author,  and  it  is  denied  tc 


SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  221 

mail  to  separate  what  God  has  united.  The 
Sacrament  of  Holy  Orders  consecrates  sub- 
jects to  the  altars  of  the  Church,  giving  them 
power  to  fulfill  their  ecclesiastic  functions  and 
the  graces  that  are  necessary  to  their  sanctity. 

'The  Church  is  holy  in  her  rites.  In  her 
Communion  only,  is  offered  the  “legitimate 
sacrifice,^'  the  pure  oblation,  which,  accord- 
ing to  the  prediction  of  Malachi,  “ was  to  be 
offered  to  the  Lord  in  all  places.’^ 

“The  Church,”  said  St.  Optatus,  “is  holy 
in  her  desires,  in  her  ministry,  in  her  cere- 
monies, in  all  the  practices  she  employs  for 
the  honor  of  God,  and  to  render  to  Him  the 
worship  that  is  due  His  Supreme  Majesty.” 

It  is  the  spirit  of  Jesus  that  animates  the 
Church,  and  this  spirit  is  the  spirit  of  holi- 
ness. It  is  this  spirit  that  inspires  the  truly 
faithful  with  contempt  for  the  goods  of  the 
world  and  its  pleasures. 

The  Church  has  in  all  ages  applied  herself 
to  the  sanctification  of  her  children,  and  to 


222  SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  present  time,  it  is  the  object  of  her  zeal 
and  prayers.  It  is  to  multiply  among  the 
faithful  the  fruits  of  sanctity  that  she  ex- 
horts them,  by  her  ministers,  to  the  perusal 
of  pious  books ; that  she  imposes  obligations 
on  them,  and  that  she  exhorts  them  to  the 
practice  of  the  evangelical  precepts.  It  is  to 
this  end  that  she  assembles  them  so  often  in 
her  temples ; that  she  prays  with  and  for 
them,  and  that  they  pray  with  her.  It  is  for 
the  same  end  that  so  much  pomp  is  employed 
in  her  ceremonies.  It  is,  if  we  may  use  the 
expression,  to  force  us  to  walk  in  the  way  of 
holiness,  that  she  recalls  so  often,  and  with 
such  solemnity,  the  memory  of  those  of  her 
children  who  have  had  the  courage  to  sacri- 
fice their  lives  lOr  their  God.  What  should 
be  the  sanctity  of  that  Church  that  desires  to 
render  its  children  so  holy,  and  that  labors  so 
constantly,  and  with  so  much  ardor,  to  cav^e 
them  to  merit  and  obtain  the  happy  eternity 
that  God  promises  to  his  saints  ? 


SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  223 

The  desire  of  the  Church  is,  and  has  al- 
ways been,  fulfilled  with  regard  to  a great 
number.  In  all  ages,  she  has  numbered  mul- 
titudes of  holy  members.  Notwithstanding 
the  deluge  of  corruption  that  has  inundated 
the  world,  and  continues  to  do  so,  the  Church 
has  always  been  holy,  and  continues  to  be  so. 
What  examples  of  sanctity  have  we  not  had 
in  every  age?  In  later  times,  witness  the 
zeal  of  St.  Charles  Boromdo ; the  virtue  and 
mildness  of  St.  Francis  de  Sales ; the  fervor 
of  St.  Th^r^sa;  the  ardor  of  St.  Francis 
Xavier,  for  the  conversion  of  Infidels,  and 
the  charity  of  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  for  suffer- 
ing humanity.  But  besides  the  infinite  num- 
ber of  saints  that  are  admired  for  their  he- 
roic virtues,  and  to  whom  homage  has  not 
been  withheld,  there  is  still  a greater  number 
whose  sanctity  and  virtues  are  hidden  from 
the  eyes  of  men.  The  present  age,  notwith- 
standing the  general  corruption,  witnesses  in 
the  Church  as  many  good  works  and  acts  of 


224  SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

virtue  as  the  preceding  centuries.  There  are 
now  quite  as  many  that  are  sanctified  by  the 
Faith,  by  the  use  of  the  sacraments,  and  by 
submission  to  the  discipline  and  laws  of  the 
Church. 

In  this  Church  only  is  found  true  sanctity. 
The  spirit  of  Jesus  is  only  found  in  the 
Church  of  Jesus.  ‘‘  Wlwever  violates  the  unity 
of  the  Churchf  says  St.  Augustin,  “ cannot 
have  the  charity  of  Gon.^^ 

Our  adversaries  object  that  we  are  not 
more  holy  than  they.  We  can  reply  that 
Jesus  has  predicted  that  in  the  Church  there 
will  always  be  this  mixture  of  good  and  bad. 
A man’s  children  maybe  wicked  and  ungov- 
ernable, yet  we  can  not  always  reasonably  con- 
clude that  the  father  is  not  virtuous..  But 
we  have  another  reply  to  make  to  them. 
There  is  a great  difference  between  the  child- 
ren of  the  true  Church  and  those  of  the  re- 
formed. Those  who  are  vicious  amongst  us, 
oppose  the  doctrines  which  they  profess,  neg- 


SANCTITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  225 

iect  or  profane  the  sacraments,  and  violate 
the  laws  imposed  by  the  Church.  With  Pro- 
testants, on  the  contrary,  to  do  evil  it  is  only 
necessary  to  follow  to  the  letter  the  doctrine 
of  the  pretended  reformers ; that  which  they 
have  taught  on  justifying  faith,  on  the  inad- 
missibility of  justice,  on  the  merit  of  good 
works,  on  the  effect  of  the  sacraments  and 
the  inutility  of  mortifications,  etc.,  is  better 
calculated  to  increase  vice  than  repress  it. 
They  have  abridged  practices  the  most  capa- 
ble of  inspiring  piety,  confidence  in  God,  and 
the  spirit  of  humility  and  penance.  They 
themselves,  far  from  being  models  of  virtue, 
have  given  examples  of  the  grossest  vices. 


CATHOLICrrY  OF  TEE  CHEllCH. 

The  third  characteristic  of  the  true  Church 
is  its  Catholicity ; that  is  to  say,  its  universal 
ity — the  word  Catholic  is  derived  from  a 
Greek  word,  signifying  universal.  Our  Di- 
vine Saviour  desired,  and  continues  to  desire, 
the  salvation  of  all  men.  Salvation  is  only 
to  be  had  in  the  true  Church,  It  is,  then, 
the  will  of  Jesus  that  all  men  should  become 
members  of  the  true  Church.  It  was  to  this 
end  that  His  apostles  were  commanded  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  all  men,  without  dis- 
tinction of  country,  nation,  climate  or  gov- 
ernment. Jesus  wishes  that  the  sheep  should 
be  united  in  one  fold,  under  the  same  pastors, 

He  wishes  that  the  doctrine,  the  sacraments, 
227 


228  CATHOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

and  rites  be  everywhere  the  same.  The  Holy 
Fathers  have  always  held  this  belief,  and  it 
has  been  held  in  all  the  churches  that  are 
scattered  in  the  various  portions  of  the  world. 

The  character  of  universality  belongs  only 
to  the  true  Church,  and  it  is  by  this  mark 
that  she  is  readily  distinguished.  Also  by 
the  name  Catholic  the  faithful  are  distin- 
guished from  heretics  and  schismatics.  The 
Marcionites  received  their  name  from  Marcion; 
the  Montanists  from  Montanus;  the  Lutherans 
have  taken  their  name  from  Luther ; the  Cal- 
vinists ivom  Calvin;  the  Socinians  from  Sod- 
nus.  The  other  heretics  have  taken  their 
names  from  perverse  and  ambitious  men,  who 
have  been  their  chiefs  and  directors.  The 
Catholics  have  always  preserved  their  name, 
which  has  ever  belonged  exclusively  to  them, 

“ K you  enter  a village,”  says  St.  Cyril, 
of  Jerusalem,  “ ask  not  merely,  wherejs  the 
house  of  God,  or  you  may  be  deceived ; for 
the  most  corrupt  and  impious  of  the  sects  fear 


CATHOLICITY  OF  THK  CHURCH.  229 

not  to  give  this  name  to  their  places  of  as- 
sembly. Ask  not  simply  where  is  the  Churchy 
but  where  is  the  Oatholic  Church  ; for  that  is 
the  proper  name  for  the  true  Church.  ’ 

The  true  Church  is  called  Catholic ; that  is 
to  say,  universal,  because  she  extends  to  all 
time  and  to  all  places. 

The  Church  is  as  old  as  the  world.  It  has 
for  its  author  Jesus,  who  has  charged  His 
apostles  to  establish  it  in  all  countries.  Con- 
tinually assisted  by  its  Divine  Founder,  who 
is  at  the  same  time  its  Invisible  Head;  en- 
lightened by  his  spirit,  it  has  not  ceased  to 
exist  since  its  establishment.  It  has  subsisted, 
notwithstanding  the  efforts  of  its  enemies  to 
overthrow  it;  it  will  always  exist,  and  the 
vicissitudes  of  time  can  never  destroy  it.  The 
Church  has  existed  without  interruption,  pre- 
serving the  same  faith,  the  same  doctrine,  the 
same  sacraments,  the  same  unity,  and  the 
same  sanctity.  Every  society  not  in  com^ 
munionwith  the  true  Church;  every  Church 


280  CATHOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

that  shows  a more  recent  origin,  cannot  with 
truth  imagine  that  Jesus  is  its  head  and  chief, 
and  consequently  can  lay  no  claims  to  being 
the  true  Church. 

Nothing  is  easier  than  to  prove  to  the  Pro- 
testants, and  to  all  heretics  and  schismatics, 
that  their  societies  are  not  the  true  Church  of 
Christ.  It  is  only  necessary  to  recall  their 
origin,  and  the  date  of  their  pretended  re- 
formation, or  their  separation  from  the  Cath- 
olic Church.  We  can  say  to  them,  as  Tertul- 
lian  said  to  the  heretics  of  his  time,  “ Who 
are  you,  and  from  whence  come  you?  Your 
Church  is  not  that  founded  by  the  apostles. 
You  oppose  new  doctrines  to  those  first 
taught  by  the  apostles  of  Jesus.  Your  doc- 
trine, far  from  being  the  doctrine  taught  by 
Jesus  and  His  disciples,  was  never  known 
until  this  time  ; it  is  a doctrine  forged  and  in- 
vented by  yourselves.  Two  hundred  years 
ago,  and  you  were  not ; but  the  Church  of 


CATHOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  231 

I 

Christ  has  existed  since  the  time  of  the  apos- 
tles.’^ 

Not  only  does  the  Church  extend  through 
all  time,  but  she  embraces  all  countries.  The 
apostles  caused  the  name  of  Goo  to  resound, 
and  the  light  of  the  Gospel  to  shine  in  the 
most  remote  portions  of  the  earth ; and  since 
that  time,  what  progress  has  not  the  Catholic 
Church  made?  Apostolic  men  have  penetra- 
ted the  most  distant  countries,  and  planted 
the  Faith.  The  most  barbarous  people  have 
been  mollified  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel, and  the  most  intractable  have  submitted 
to  the  sweet  yoke  of  our  Saviour.  Each  day 
the  divine  law  extends  its  empire  to  new 
countries ; and  the  Church,  always  fruitful, 
ceases  not  to  gain  new  children  to  the  Lord. 

It  is  true  that  she  has  sustained  consider- 
able losses,  and  that  schism,  heresy  and  infi- 
delity have  taken  from  her  whole  provinces 
and  entire  kingdoms;  but  she  has  always  re- 


232  CATHOLICITY  OF  THK  CHOROH. 

paired  these  losses  brilliantly.  At  the  time 
that  vast  countries  separated  from  the  Church, 
a new  world  was  added  to  her  by  the  conver- 
sion of  America  and  the  Indies. 

What  Infidel  people  have  the  enemies  of 
the  Church  converted,  and  what  progress  has 
heresy  made?  The  same  places  that  gave 
them  birth  have  beheld  their  ruin.  The  her- 
esies of  Nestorius  and  Eutychius  were  never 
promulgated  in  the  West,  and  those  of  Lu- 
ther and  Calvin  never  penetrated  to  the  East, 
whilst  the  true  Church  is  found  in  the  North, 
South,  East  and  West.  She  reigns  in  Eu- 
rope, she  bears  fruit  in  Asia,  and  she  has  giv- 
en to  Jesus  children  in  the  extreme  portions 
of  Africa  and  America.  She  is  found  where 
heresy  is  found,  and  not  only  where  it  is 
found,  but  where  it  is  scarcely  known — ^proof 
sufficient  that  she  is  Catholic  and  universal. 

In  vain  do  our  adversaries  boast  of  their 
numbers ; but  even  in  this  point  they  have 
no  advantage  over  the  true  Church.  What 


CATHOLICITY  vF  THE  CHURCH.  233 

have  they  in  common,  except  their  hatred  of 
the  Catholic  Church  ? They  do  not  form  a 
single  society,  since  they  profess  different 
dogmas ; they  form  sects  and  societies,  sepa- 
rate and  distinct,  and  are  all  enemies  to  each 
other ; they  form  not  the  Church,  either  sep- 
arate or  together ; they  cannot  form  the 
Church  when  taken  together,  for  they  are 
not  united  in  doctrine;  their  inferiority  of 
numbers  when  disunited,  prove  that  they  can- 
not— any  one  of  them— constitute  the  true 
Church. 

The  true  Church  is  one,  notwithstanding 
her  numbers  ; the  immense  number  of  her 
children  derogates  not  from  her  unity ; she  is 
but  one  body,  however  muliiiudinous  her 
members. 

“ It  is  her  unity  that  out  of  numbers  forms 
but  one  people,”  said  St.  Augustin.  “ fake 
away  this  characteristic,  and  we  have  but  a 
tumultuous,  confused  multitude.” 

Unite  unity  and  numbers  and  you  have 
2* 


231:  CATHOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  Church  Catholic.  The  true  Church  is 
Catholic^  in  every  sense — Catholic  in  her  dura- 
tio7i^  since  she  is  not  confined  to  certain  ages; 
and  since  faith  in  Jesus  will  alvs  ays  be  neces- 
sary to  salvation,  she  will  exist  to  the  end  of 
the  world.  She  is  Catholic  in  her  extent,  since 
she  extends  all  over  the  world.  She  is  Cath- 
olic in  her  doctrine^  since  she  always  preserves 
the  same  faith  and  opposes  the  new  doctrines 
of  the  sects  and  societies. 


t 


APOSTOLICITY  OF  THE  CHHfiCH. 

The  Apostolicity  of  the  Church  is  her  fourth 
characteristic.  She  is  the  same  that  the 
apostles  founded;  she  has  had  an  uninter- 
rupted succession  of  pastors  since  the  time  of 
the  apostles ; and  her  doctrine  is,  and  always 
has  been,  the  doctrine  of  the  apostles,  which 
she  has  preserved  and  always  taught.  These 
advantages  are  only  found  in  the  Catholic 
Church,  which  is  the  true  Church,  as  we  shall 
see. 

The  apostles,  after  receiving  their  mission 
from  Jesus,  dispersed  in  different  directions, 
carrying  with  them  the  light  of  faith,  preach- 
ing the  Gospel,  baptising  the  people  and 
teaching  them  all  that  their  Divine  Master 

had  taught  them. 

235 


236  APOSTOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

We  read  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  that 
in  each  village  in  which  they  planted  the 
faith,  they  there  established  bishops,  priests 
and  deacons  to  govern  the  faithful ; and  that 
it  was  in  this  manner  that  churches  were 
founded.  Ecclesiastical  history  informs  us 
that  St.  Peter  founded  the  three  principal 
Episcopal  Sees ; that  of  Alexandria,  in  which 
he  placed  St.  Mark  ; that  of  Antioch,  in 
which  he  placed  St.  Evodius,  and  that  of 
Eome,  where  he  won  the  palm  of  martyrdom, 
after  a pontificate  of  twenty-five  years.  As 
St.  Peter  was  the  chief  of  the  apostles,  his 
successor,  the  Bishop  of  Eome,  whom  we  call 
Pope,  has  always  been  regarded  as  first 
among  the  Bishops  having  divine  right  over 
the  others.  He  is  Christ’s  Vicar  on  earth, 
and  the  visible  head  of  the  Church.  The 
See  of  EOme  is  for  this  reason  the  first  See  of 
the  Church,  and  is  called  the  Holy  Apostolic 
See,  since  it  is  the  center  of  Catholic  unity. 
It  is  from  this  See  that  the  decisions  emanate 


APOSTOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  237 

that  terminate  all  differences.  It  is  from  this 
See  that  apostolic  men  receive  their  mission. 
It  is  from  this  See  that  they  have  been  sent 
by  Popes  to  all  nations,  as  successors  of  St. 
Peter  and  inheritors  of  his  authority  ; and 
these  rights  have  never  been  contested. 

The  Catholic  Church  has  existed  from  the 
time  of  the  apostles  until  the  present  day, 
and  has  always  been  governed  by  a succe^s- 
sion  of  legitimate  pastors.  It  is  a point  so 
well  maintained  that  it  has  never  been  con- 
tested, even  by  our  adversaries.  We  can 
show  a continued  succession,  from  the  pres- 
ent Pontiff,  who  to-day  governs  the  Church, 
as  far  back  as  the  time  of  St.  Peter,  Prince 
of  the  Apostles. 

St.  Augustine  says:  “ What  retains  me  in 
the  Church  is  this  uninterrupted  succession 
of  Bishops  from  the  time  of  St.  Peter,  to 
whom  the  Lord  confided  the  care  of  His 
sheep,  even  to  the  Pontiff  who  is  to-day  reign- 
ing in  the  apostolic  chair.” 


238  APOSTOLICITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Tertullian  said,  in  speaking  of  the  heretics 
of  his  time:  “ If  they  pretend  to  extenid 
back  to  the  time  of  the  apostles,  in  order  to 
make  us  believe  that  they  hold  the  true  doc- 
trine, we  have  only  to  reply  that  they  must  , 
show  us  a list  of  their  Bishops ; for  it  is  by 
tills  means  that  we  shall  be  able  to  say 
whether  they  are  legitimate  successors  of  the 
apostles.  The  Church  in  Smyrna  gloried  in 
having  St.  Polycarp  placed  in  that  See  by 
St.  John  himself ; and  the  Church  of  Kome 
had  a successor  appointed  by  St.  Peter,  and 
that  one  was  St.  Clement.’^ 

If  this  uninterrupted  succession  retained  in 
the  Church  St.  Augustin  and  St.  Ir^neus  ano 
Tertullian,  what  authority  should  it  not  have 
with  us,  continuing  through  eighteen  centu 
ries  ? Is  it  not  most  certainly  the  hand  of 
God  that  sustains  the  Holy  See  ? . . . . 

Have  we  not  even  more  reason  than  had 
Tertullian,  to  say  to  the  heretics,  “ Who  are 
you,  and  from  whence  came  you?'^  Where 


APOSTOLICITY  OP  THE  CHURCH.  239 

were  the  Calvinists  before  the  time  of  Calvin  ? 
or  the  Anglicans  before  the  time  of  Henry 
VIIL  ? or  the  Lutherans  before  the  time  of 
Luther?  And  to  whom  did  they  succeed, 
and  to  what  pastors  have  they  left  the  right 
to  teach?  They  were  sent  by  themselves, 
and  not  by  the  apostles.  They  are  not  then 
apostolic. 

The  Church  has  preserved,  since  her  ori- 
gin, the  doctrine  received  from  the  apostles. 
It  is  the  apostles,  who  were  instructed  and  en- 
lightened by  Jesus,  that  are  her  masters.  The 
writings  and  traditions  which  were  confided 
to  them  are  the  true  sources  from  which  she 
draws  the  truths  that  she  teaches. 

It  is  for  the  Church  that  the  apostles  have 
written  the  sacred  Scriptures ; but  it  is  not 
by  writing  alone  that  the  apostles  have  in- 
structed the  Church ; they  have  also  instruct 
ed  it  by  tradition.  Tradition  is,  in  one 
sense,  more  ancient  than  the  Scriptures,  since 
the  apostles  preached  before  writing. 


240  APOSTOLIOITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

What  motives  have  we  not  for  remaining 
inviolably  attached  to  this  ark  of  salvation? 
that  no  tempest  can  destroy,  because  formed 
by  God. 

If  we  remain  faithfully  attached  to  the 
Holy  Catholic  Church,  if  we  show  ourselves 
respectful  and  obedient  children  of  a Mother 
so  worhy  of  our  love  and  veneration,  our 
happiness  will  be  complete  for  eternity  ; our 
faith  will  increase  daily ; we  will  find  in  the 
instructions  of  our  legitimate  pastors  new 
light  to  dissipate  our  doubts  and  to  preserve 
as  from  error ; we  will  have  greater  hope  of 
possessing  heaven,  and  will  beg  with  greater 
fervor  the  graces  necessary  to  attain  thereto. 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 


3 9031 


01 


OLLEGE  / 

lllllllllllllllllll  J 

341280  4 pff 


0-4- 


20578 


BOSTON  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  HEIGHTS 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 


Books  may  be  kept  for  two  weeks  and  may 
be  renewed  for  the  same  DeEUid^fifiie|B*t^. 
served. 


Two  cents  a day  is  charged  for  each  book 
kept  overtime. 

If  you  cannot  find  what  you  want,  ask  the 
Librarian  who  will  be  glad  to  help  you. 

The  borrower  is  responsible  for  books  drawn 
on  his  card  and  for  all  fines  accruing  on  the 


same. 


